Cherise Johnson – UPROXXhttps://uproxx.com
The Culture Of NowWed, 03 Jun 2020 18:47:19 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.1147704309All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-giveon-danileigh/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Giveon, Danileigh and Derek King.]]>

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Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, Giveon revamps “Favorite Mistake” with just a guitar, DaniLeigh taps Fivio Foreign for “Dominican Mami” and 6lack blesses fans with his “ATL Freestyle.” Check out the rest of the best new R&B songs below.

Giveon — “Favorite Mistake”

Giveon took an already beloved track from his album Take Time, “Favorite Mistake,” and delivered a remodeled, acoustic dream. Giveon‘s rich vocals are crystal clear, with the sound guitar filling out it’s divine energy.

DaniLeigh — “Dominican Mami” Feat. Fivio Foreign

DaniLeigh is following up her hit collab “Levi High” featuring DaBaby with a Fivio Foreign collab titled “Dominican Mami.” The song is expected to live on the Miami native’s forthcoming album.

6lack – “ATL Freestyle”

6lack‘s “ATL Freestyle” is a mellow, musical journey through Zone 6. The Lvrn artist rap-sings over melodic trap production about riding around the city while listening to Gucci Mane and touting the title of “hood love therapist.” He just launched his new website 6lackbox.com filled new music as well as a note remembering the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Abrery and Breonna Taylor.

Derek King — Let’s Be Honest

Derek King’s EP Let’s Be Honest has arrived 11 songs deep with guest appearances from E-40, King Combs, MarMar Oso, and JGreen. The Bay Area native manages to stay sonically stay true to his roots while also appealing to a broader taste. Tracks such as “Dior Kisses” and “Enough” are evidence of this.

PJ — Waiting In Paris

Waiting In Paris is PJ‘s first project in a longtime. Born, Paris Jones, the award-winning singer-songwriter is making her return to remind everyone of her singing prowess and doing it with pure confidence.

Rmr — “I’m Not Over You”

Off Rmr’s forthcoming EP Drug Dealing Is A Lost Art, is the trap-country hybrid track “I’m Not Over You.” The song is produced by the legendary Timbaland, so here’s hope to more music from Rmr and Timbo in the future.

Ali Gatie — “Running Through My Mind”

Ali Gatie‘s “Running Through My Mind” is a sweet, ethereal reverie and the Toronto sensation is celebrating his birthday with the song’s early release. The crisp track is just the follow-up to his global hit “What If I Told You That I Love You,” and truly lives up to expectations.

Robin Thicke — “Forever Mine”

This one is for the late Andre Harrell. Robin Thicke has dedicated his latest release, “Forever Mine,” to the fallen Uptown Records founder and it’s a smooth, jazzy jam brimming with love and memories.

Saint Jhn — Roses (Remix) Feat. Future

Just when it was apparent Saint Jhn‘s viral smash “Roses” couldn’t get any better as a remix (shoutout to DJ Imanbek), the Brooklyn musician introduces another version and this time it’s with Future. It’s truly something special; just press play on this one.

Check out this week’s R&B picks, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-giveon-danileigh/feed/0402429443All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-saint-jhn-justine-skye/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Saint Jhn, Justine Skye and PJ.]]>

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Sometimes the best new R&B songs can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the hottest R&B jams that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, Saint Jhn shares his tropical music video for “Ransom,” Justine Skye delivers her latest “No Options,” and Teyana Taylor dedicates “Made It” to the class of 2020. Check out the rest of the best new R&B songs below.

Saint Jhn — “Ransom”

Fresh off the success of Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs and viral TikTok track “Roses,” Saint Jhn is keeping the momentum going with the visual for a new somber track titled, “Ransom.” The Grammy Award-nominated artist croons his thoughts about true love in one take while nested in the beauty of Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Justine Skye — “No Options”

Justine Skye‘s Bare With Me EP was released just a year ago and this week she offers a taste of the future with “No Options.” When a relationship becomes toxic, sometimes it might be hard to leave and Justine touches on this relatable circumstance with the comfort of her voice.

Teyana Taylor — “Made It”

Teyana Taylor broke the internet with her choreography when she teased “Bare Wit Me,” and this week the song came in its entirety as well as the music video for the Class of 2020-dedicated cut “Made It.” The tracks are expected to live on her forthcoming project, The Album, the follow-up to 2018’s KTSE.

PJ — “Counterfeit”

As fans eagerly await for PJ‘s next project, Waiting For Paris, the talented singer-songwriter shares a piece of the upcoming EP with the music video for “Counterfeit.” Out of love and trust, PJ sings her raw and unadulterated thoughts over grand and cheery production.

Bino Rideaux — Outside

Bino Rideaux’s debut mixtape Outside is here. The South Central Los Angeles artist and close Nipsey Hussle collaborator previously released two tracks off the EP, “Brand New” featuring Blxst and “Bet,” ahead of the project’s release and this week he came through with the animated visual for “Cold Feet” featuring Ty Dolla Sign.

Rini — “Bedtime Story”

Burgeoning R&B singer Rini goes to another dimension with his love in an alternate reality, animated visual for his track “Bedtime Story,” which leans on technology advances like FaceTime as way to keep romance alive. It’s hard not to daydream about what it would be like to finally be able to freely go outside again.

Roy Woods — “2 Me”

Roy Woods Dem Times EP was just released last week and this week he delivers the music video for the track “2 Me.” The Dragan Andic-directed video conceptualizes the emotional storytelling Woods conveys on the project.

Derek King — “Stories” Feat. Eric Bellinger

Bay Area singer Derek King connects with Grammy Award-winning singer Eric Bellinger for his latest single “Stories.” Keeping true to social-distancing measures, Derek shares a music video that accurately depicts what it’s like to be in love during the quarantine. King’s forthcoming album Let’s Be Honest is slated for release May 29.

070 Shake — “Microdosing”

We all miss live shows, but in memory of an experience that is near and dear to many, 070 Shake shares a reminder of what a concert looks and feels like with her powerful “Microdosing” performance at Webster Hall in New York City. The track lives on her 2020 album Modus Vivendi.

Jhene Aiko — “B.S.” Feat. HER

Jhene Aiko‘s No. 1 album Chilombo continues to impress and this week she shares an animated visual for her song “B.S.” featuring HER. The pair recently performed an acoustic version of the song for charity and it is easily one of the stand-out cuts on the album.

Mario — “Closer”

R&B veteran Mario’s darkly, rouge animated visual for track “Closer” has arrived. With just a shadow of his silhouette and the curves of a leading lady, Mario gets his provocative and tempting point across by using his richly enchanting vocals to get the object of his affection to come closer.

Check out this week’s R&B picks, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

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The actress and New Power Generation member shares her existential thoughts.]]>

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On a quest to fill my stay-at-home time with something good to watch, I chose a show called Upload on Amazon Prime. It’s about the afterlife, the future, and seemed to be a little disturbing while also romanticly comedic, so it fit right within my taste. For two days, my phone was down, and my attention was fully on the life of Nora Antony, played by Andy Allo, an Angel at Horizen, who helps privileged dead people adjust to their new lives in a digital heaven.

Honestly, it was the Mary J. Blige song “Family Affair” playing as Nora got off a crowded New York City subway train to get to her call center job that made me stay. The gorgeous presence of Nathan Brown (played by Robbie Amell), was just icing on the cake. Though set in the future, the setting was all too familiar; I could relate and was easily able to put myself into Nora’s shoes.

I am positive that I’m not the only one who has been immediately enchanted by Andy’s charm — the late, great, Purple One, Prince, was captivated by her charm too, as he embraced her as a guitarist and vocalist for his backing band, the New Power Generation, in 2011. Not only that, her 2012 sophomore debut, Superconductor, was executively produced by him and she has released a total of five albums with Prince as her mentor. Before Prince, she banged out as Allo and the Traffic Jam on Sacramento’s bustling historic J Street.

“I think he knew before I truly did of the potential I had,” Allo recalled of her time working with Prince. “I feel like he saw it.”

Now, she plays an angel in Upload and though she has another acting project titled 2 Minutes Of Fame coming out this summer starring Kat Williams and Keke Palmer, music is still a priority.

Shortly after it was announced that Upload would be renewed for a second season, Uproxx spoke with Allo about the ever-evolving human experience, music, and what kind of digital afterlife Prince would be into if he were an upload.

I watched Upload the first day it came out and binged it in two days. I’m obsessed with it. I’ve been telling all my friends to watch it. It reminds me of The Good Place and I love movies and shows like that. What was it for you about the script that kind of drew you in?

Well, I really love sci-fi and I’m a sucker for romantic comedies and the script just….the world that Greg [Daniels] built is so layered and so balanced, it kind of has the best of all worlds and the characters are so, so beautifully crafted, especially Nora. When I read the script, I instantly connected with her and I was like, “Oh, I’m obsessed. I have to play this character.”

I feel like everybody’s probably obsessed with Nora and how down to earth she is, and like, not so perfect, but trying to make it. I also noticed the different classes and I feel like you’re right. It feels like this could be a reality, this could actually happen.

Like it is happening. I think about like, man, I feel like I am living Nora’s life right now.

With all the technology and the way that things are going on, for sure. The show definitely plays on the idea of existentialism and human’s natural fear of death, paying to live a little bit longer. Have you ever consciously dealt with those things in real life? Has being part of this show been transformative for you at all?

I mean, for me, Nora’s mission is getting her father to upload because she wants to stay connected to him forever. As I’ve gotten older and so have my parents, I too would be like, of course I want to stay connected to my loved ones forever. That totally hit me and it makes me wish we did have something like upload in Lakeview to stay in touch with the people that mean so much to us. Definitely.

The ending got kind of weird where I was in love with Nora and Nathan’s relationship, then it just hit me, I was like, wait, Nathan’s dead. If something like this were to happen, there could be love that happens between the dead and the living and it’s kind of weird, but finding your forever partner could be the new normal. Nora’s dad wanted to meet her mom in heaven. When you say heaven now, you don’t know if that’ll happen, but with this you’re like, yeah, it’s a for sure thing. What are your thoughts on that?

Well, I think about kind of what’s happening now and how we spend so much time using FaceTime and Zoom to connect to people. I have friends that are still dating and using apps to meet people and they’re going on these virtual dates through FaceTime.

So in a way it’s like using technology to connect to somebody. When you’re not in front of someone face-to-face, it’s hard to gauge that physical connection. Yet, now because of what’s happening in the world, you kind of have to rely on FaceTime and getting to know somebody through this medium and trust that, I’m getting to know you, as you, without the physical, which can distract you from really getting to know somebody.

I kind of feel like, Nora really gets this chance to find something that she’s been yearning for, which is having seen her parents romance play out almost like a fantasy and all the way until the end with her mom passing. That’s her example of what love is and she’s searching for that. She’s looking for it in all the wrong places with the wrong people. I think it’s because they really got a chance to just get to know each other and become friends. And I think that really opened her up to be like, “Oh wow, okay. I actually…I just like you.”

Have you seen that Netflix show, Love Is Blind? Where they have to be in these pods before they can meet a person?

Yes!

I feel like that was a precursor to coronavirus. It was the warm-up. The warning.

I love it. Love Is Blind. I know, Love Is Blind, but what was the other one? Too Hot To Handle?

Too Hot To Handle, yeah.

Where they can’t touch each other.

Yeah, exactly. If they do, they get charged a lot of money.

I find these shows interesting, definitely are the way things are now of getting to know each other and getting to know people separately and without relying on, “Oh yeah. You’re just really good looking and I’m just attracted to in that way.” That stuff doesn’t last and it’s more so the deeper stuff that really connects you with somebody. I think it’s really beautiful and I love that Nora and Nathan, through this kind of unfortunate circumstance of him being dead, getting to know each other that way.

I also thought it was interesting how he didn’t know he was a douchebag. You know what I mean? Like you just think, oh my God, he’s such a great person and then you realize, whoa, those memories weren’t there so he wasn’t able to know that about himself and be that. It was kind of like how your past defines you. He didn’t have that to define himself, which was interesting to me.

Yeah. I love that this show kind of brings up that question, which is, who are you really? Are you the person that can define themselves and say, no, this is who I am now. Or are you defined by your past and what you’ve done or who you’ve been. Can you change? Are you given that opportunity? I think it’s such a beautiful journey for Nathan. Who kind of starts out one way and then learns to be better and learns to appreciate certain things, especially through his relationship and friendship with Nora. As for Nora, she gets to appreciate the beauty in her own situation. I love the scene when she shows him around her office and he’s like, “Wow, this is amazing.” And she’s like, “No, are you kidding?” And then he comes back into his world and he brightens up the stars and it’s like, this is amazing. So I feel like they really get to show each other the beauty of where they both are.

And for Nora to watch Nathan grow and initially being like, yeah, he’s a douchebag, but then giving him the chance to get to know him. At the end, really accepting him for who he is and who he’s shown her to be and believing that versus what the past has been.

I definitely think the show really disrupts that the idea of what life could be in the future. We think of certain things, like we’ll still have our same little quirks, but this, I feel like [Greg] really showed out with this. Especially highlighting the whole classism thing how your job is connected to what could happen to you when you’re dead and even showing capitalism at work with the Taco Bell thing. Even though these people are dead, they can still enjoy Taco Bell? Wow, okay.

Right. They’re still trying to sell stuff and make money, even in afterlife, which is just crazy.

Would you be an upload?

Oh yes. 100%. I thought about it a lot and I view it as a second chance. Ideally, I would want to upload closer to my older years. I’ve done everything I want to do here. Seeing it as a second chance to do stuff that I maybe wasn’t able to get to, or didn’t have the resources for, or the time for, and really just continue kind of growing and expanding and experiencing afterlife.

I know that you had this really great relationship with Prince. Do you think Prince would want to be a resident of Lakeview?

Oh, I don’t know if it’s his style. I feel like he’s more of like a Caribbean type vibe.

So if there was a Caribbean heaven, that’s where Prince would be?

Yeah, I think so. Some kind of exotic type place. That would be his vibe. Where there are amazing musicians and concerts and things happening. And you could just roll up anytime and just rip out a solo.

100%. There would be a version of Paisley’s that would be on there so he could record music and be releasing records even in afterlife.

That would be so fire. That would be so crazy now that I’m thinking about it. Then going into your musical relationship with Prince and your role as a singer and guitarist with the New Power Generation, what was it like having him as a mentor? I’m pretty sure it was very, very fun and interesting.

I think about it now sometimes, I’m like did that really happen? It’s so wild. I learned so much and he gave me so many tools of how to live and create as an artist. He would be up all night just writing. Every morning, he would have a new song that he wrote. By the end of the day it would be recorded and it would sound amazing.

Art and music just flowed through him and he really showed me what it means to be a vessel and embody art. He really set a standard of when you aim to do something and want to do something, to be the best, show up, be the best version of yourself and always having integrity in what you do. They’re just music lessons, but life lessons as well, that I’ve taken and carry with me with everything I kind of walk into.

Love that. Is that one of the things that he’s told you that you often go back to it for advice, or has there ever been one thing where you’re like maybe doubting yourself and then you hear Prince’s voice in your head?

I think he knew before I truly did, of the potential I had. I feel like he saw it. He would say certain things and those were the moments that we would butt heads because he was a very strong personality and so was I, and we were both extremely stubborn. When I wanted something one way then, and he wanted it the other way and we would get into these amazing discussions about it. So, I think he saw a lot of himself in me and I don’t think I quite knew my own potential, but some of the things that he had said, or encouraged me, or pushed me to do that I wasn’t quite ready for, or didn’t understand. I have those kinds of a-ha moments now where it’s like, oh, you knew. You sneaky! You knew! It’s nice having those moments now.

That’s very sweet. Now I also know that you had a band, Allo And The Traffic Jam, that you did in Sacramento. I feel like that’s very Prince-ish. What was that experience like for you and what made you put yourself out there like that?

I loved the music. I loved playing. I loved performing. There was nothing else I wanted to do and we had this funk band. It’s so funny you say that. I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but yeah, it was when we played funk songs and jammed and play on the street of these art walks. We put on concerts and that was one of my first bands and that was so much fun. Now that you mention it, it is very Prince-esque.

That’s probably what he saw. Are you still making music nowadays or what’s going on with that?

I am. It’s been really cool actually, being at home so much, I’ve been playing a lot more. I started doing these Facebook Lives every Monday. I call it Music Monday at noon. I play little short concerts. I’m working on some new music as well. Hopefully, we’ll start putting out some goodies toward the end of this year.

I can’t wait for that! I just saw that Upload got a season two already. How excited are you about that?

Yes. I can’t believe it. In one week. It’s been out one week.

Like I said, I watched it in two days, okay? I am already ready for season two!

I love that. I know, I’m ready too. I’m like, can we just start filming? But I’m so excited. It feels like such a dream. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start filming the second season and get that out to people because I know they’re hungry for it.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/andy-allo-interview-upload-prince/feed/0402415720All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-chloe-halle-roy-woods/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Chloe x Halle, Roy Woods and Ro James.]]>

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Sometimes the best new R&B music can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B music that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, sisters Chloe x Halle deliver their grown-up R&B track “Do It,” accompanied by an impressive, gilded music video. Also, OVO Sound artist Roy Woods came through with his first EP of the year Dem Times and Ro James released his new song “Plan B” featuring the legendary Brandy Norwood. Check out the rest of the best new R&B music below.

Chloe x Halle — “Do It”

R&B duo Chloe x Halle ate the girls up visually and sonically with their latest release of “Do It.” Their rich and angelic vocals are perfectly layered over the track’s production, which is expected to live on their upcoming album Ungodly Hour on June 5.

Roy Woods — Dem Times

OVO Sound’s Roy Woods has been steadily recording in between Los Angeles and Toronto over the past year, and the result is a collection of tunes titled Dem Times. The 6-piece of passion and seduction features Roy expressing his version of love and how it feels to get lost in it.

Ro James — “Plan B” Feat. Brandy

Ro James and Brandy connect and take their time on “Plan B,” a track off James upcoming Mantic project. Mantic is expected to arrive May 29 with additional slated guest appearances from Masego and Miguel.

JoJo — “Comeback” Feat. Tory Lanez & 30 Roc

JoJo released her first album in a long time, Good To Know, earlier this month and now she’s here with a tempting visual for her standout cut “Comeback” featuring Tory Lanez with production by Grammy Award-winning producer 30 Roc. The steamy song is filled with JoJo’s and Tory’s healing sexual energy.

070 Shake — “Nice To Have”

Before we all were mandated to stay stuck at home due to COVID-19 having its way with the world, 070 Shake had her way with her sold out tour from the release of her incredible album Modus Vivendi under the direction of Grammy Award-winning producer Mike Dean. Now, fans can relive the moment with her live performance of “Nice To Have” at New York’s Webster Hall.

Reo Cragun — “Cuss You Out”

Reo Cragun is fed up. His latest single “Cuss You Out” is an expressive R&B cut that is equal parts rambunctious and brimming with elaborate synths and color. “‘Cuss You Out’ really comes down to the self worth,” the rising artist said in a press release. “It’s easy to lose yourself inside a relationship and this song was my wake up call. I’m a polite person, but when I feel like I’m being taken advantage of or my kindness is taken for weakness. I’m liable to remind you you’ve overstepped.”

Wurld — Afrosoul EP

Nigerian singer-songwriter WurlD has unleashed his latest EP Afrosoul via Platoon after much anticipation. Wurld seamlessly fuses the worlds of soul and Afrobeats to create a rich sound of his own. Nothing but good energy and vibes on this 6-piece.

Young Rog — “On The Road”

Young Rog isn’t letting a little quarantine get in the way of love. For his latest visual “On The Road,” off his upcoming album under LoveRenaissance, Rog shows how romancing still lives on under these circumstances with virtual Zoom dates and smoke sessions.

Bren Joy — “Henny In The Hamptons”

A year after the release of “Henny In The Hamptons,” burgeoning R&B artist Bren Joy is celebrating with an animated visual directed by Burn & Broad. Bren is certainly a voice to look out for as the new wave of R&B acts take over.

Natasha Elise — “Ride Wit Me” Feat. PnB Rock

Natasha Elise and PnB Rock came together for the R&B bop “Ride Wit Me,” and delivered a summertime-ready visual to go along with it. “’Ride Wit Me’ is all about living your life to the fullest and making sure your squad is down to ride,” Natasha said in a press release. “Loyalty and good vibes. No matter what, they should be by your side through it all. This song exudes good energy. I want my fans to listen to this song and just have a good time with their friends. Making this song and video was amazing and I couldn’t stop smiling. I hope that my fans keep on smiling through the song.”

Check out this week’s R&B picks, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-chloe-halle-roy-woods/feed/0402413934All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-kehlani-mahalia/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Kehlani, Mahalia, and A. Chal.]]>

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Sometimes the best new R&B songs can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, Kehlani finally released her sophomore debut It Was Good Until It Wasn’t with a feature from Jhene Aiko on “Change Your Life.” Rising star Mahalia shared her love of a few lonely songs this week, and compiled them for the alluring Isolation Tapes. Also, A. Chal arrived with his latest cut “Hollywood Love” featuring Gunna. Check out the best new R&B songs below.

Kehlani — “Change Your Life” Feat. Jhene Aiko

Kehlani and Jhene Aiko came together for the collab we all deserve on her It Was Good Until It Wasn’t song “Change Your Life.” Kehlani sings a story of wanting more for her lover and shares all the ways she plans on making that happen — if he let’s her.

Mahalia — Isolation Tapes

Mahalia‘s three-pack Isolation Tapes is the result of the UK singer pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rediscovering old songs she recorded, then falling in love with them all over again. “In these uncertain times, when we have so little control over what is going to happen next, I think we have to focus on what we can control,” the rising R&B singer said in a press release. “Music is where I feel that most and I’m so proud to be putting this EP out!”

A. Chal — “Hollywood Love” Feat. Gunna

A. Chal returns to the music scene this week with a banger out the gate in the form of “Hollywood Love” featuring YSL superstar Gunna. With the sounds of a guitar and heavy bass, A. Chal does a waltz in a spacey maelstrom contemplating a love that may or may not be real while Gunna fittingly adds his drip to the track. “Hollywood Love” follows A. Chal’s previously released single this year, “Pink Dust.”

MarMar Oso — Love Don’t Cost A Thing

MarMar Oso is for sure one of those up-and-coming talents to look out for and his debut album, Love Don’t Cost A Thing, finally made its way to streaming services Friday (May 8). With over 38 million collective streams and counting, the Sacramento native shows off his talent on the love and emotion-filled 12-track project, which also features his popular single “Dream Girl” along with guest appearances from YK Osiris, Luh Kel, and TeeJay3k, among others.

Zonnique — “Winner”

Zonnique sings it like it is on her assertive single “Winner,” as a message to all her exes and completely flexes on every single one of them. Confident in her worth, Zonnique’s rich voice bellows her indiscretions as she sings why she’s better for them.

Jenevieve – “Tell Me (Remix)” Feat. Benziboy

Buzzing singer Jenevieve took two Groove Theory throwback bops, “Tell Me” and “All Night Long,” mashed them together and gave us “Tell Me (Remix)” featuring Benziboy. It’s a glorious vibe that, in itself, could get played all night long. The 22-year-old Miami native has more to come and will be blessing fans with new music all year.

V Bozeman — “Juicy”

V. Bozeman turns the 1983 jam “Juicy Fruit” by Mtume into her own sultry version for “Juicy.” The singer-actress has plans on unleashing a full project with vibes just like this, but for now fans can catch her starring in the film, Howard High.

TeaMarrr — “Temperature”

TeaMarrr’s “Cool Enough” got some play on the premiere episode of Issa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure and last Sunday, the R&B crooner got some more play with her track “Temperature” in episode four. TeaMarrr is the first artist Issa has signed to her Raedio label.

Rileyy Lanez — Beautiful Mistakes EP

Bronx R&B singer Rileyy Lanez has released her 5-track debut EP Beautiful Mistakes, which features her previously released cuts, “Foul Play” and “I’m Leaving.” Speaking on the creation of Beautiful Mistakes, Rileyy says “I’ve seen so many people around me get their heart broken into pieces. Seeing this and knowing there are thousands of people going through the same shit made me want to write and create something beautiful that expresses these feelings.”

Marlounsly – “Honey”

Stuck in the pits of quarantine life, Marlounsly created “Honey,” a sweet track showing off her soothing vocals. The music video is directed by Anton Anderson and is an absolute island dreamscape.

Young Thug & Chris Brown — “Go Crazy”

Young Thug and Chris Brown surprised fans when they came together this week for the release of their collaborative R&B mixtape Slime & B and among the many standout tracks on the project lies the bounce-inspired bop “Go Crazy.” Chris comes through with his signature melodic expression while Young Thug chimes in with his own unique vocalization about being mesmerized by the object of their individual affections.

Check out this week’s best new R&B songs, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-kehlani-mahalia/feed/0402400001All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-jojo-trey-songz/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from JoJo, Trey Songz and Khalid.]]>

Uproxx Studios

Sometimes good R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the hottest R&B jams that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

After being liberated from her former label and signing to Warner Records, JoJo has made her triumphant return with her fourth studio album Good To Know. Trey Songz also emerged after a long hiatus with his latest release “Back Home” featuring Summer Walker, who also happens to be on Khalid’s remix to “Eleven,” with the music video dropping today.

JoJo — Good To Know

JoJo had a huge moment when her 2004 hit “Leave (Get Out)” was released at the age of 13-years-old. Due to label complications, the then budding singer kind of disappeared into an abyss until recently. Now, her fourth album Good To Know is here nine songs deep and it is where JoJo relentlessly flexes her gracious vocals, like she usually does, as a soul-simmering diary of love and heartbreak with songs such as “Lonely Hearts” and “Comeback” featuring Tory Lanez.

Trey Songz — “Back Home” Feat. Summer Walker

Like Trey Songz says, “It’s been a long time.” Trigga has arrived with his first single of the year, “Back Home,” featuring Summer Walker and it borrows Cam’ron’s “Oh Boy” vibe with a New Edition melody. Summer shows up and equally does her part as she sonically answers Trey with her luxurious brand of vocalization. This week, the Grammy Award-nominated R&B singer recently pleased all of his longtime fans with two of his most popular mixtapes, Anticipation I and Anticipation II.

Khalid — “Eleven (Remix)” Feat. Summer Walker

Khalid tapped Summer Walker for the remix to his track “Eleven” and today the music video for the celebrated single has been released. Exactly how Khalid and Summer are cruising around the city in luxury whips, “Eleven (Remix)” is the epitome of romantic car music and was made to be heard while riding through the streets at night, with the windows down and the volume turned all the way up.

Joyce Wrice — “That’s On You”

Los Angeles-based R&B singer Joyce Wrice came through this week with the oh-so smooth “That’s On You,” as the first release off her upcoming album. Brimming with the robust bliss of string and brass instruments fusing together with the love and care of her sweet voice, “That’s On You,” is an expressive spiritual experience. Joyce was recently featured on Westside Gunn’s “French Toast” featuring Wale, off his critically-acclaimed album Pray For Paris.

HER — “Wrong Places”

After appearing as a guest on NBC’s songwriting competition series Songland, HER issued the release of her slow jam “Wrong Places.” Intertwined between the sounds of an acoustic guitar and sharp snares settled in the heart of a healthy bassline, HER sings what she means while improvising flowy ad-libs infused with passion.

Bryce Hase — “Language” Feat. Tory Lanez

Up and coming Dallas, Texas native Bryce Hase really delivers with his latest release “Language” featuring Tory Lanez. While Bryce provides a majority of the song’s cozy infrastructure, Tory furiously drops a fire verse that adds something special to the entire essence of the track. Though he’s new the scene, his recently released songs, “I Know U Been Stressed <3” and “Wonderland,” have accumulated over two million streams overall.

Brandy — “Baby Mama” Feat. Chance The Rapper

Brandy‘s new song “Baby Mama” is right on time for Mother’s Day and it includes a feature from Chance The Rapper. In a recent interview with SiriusXM, the Grammy Award-winning singer said, “It’s celebrating mothers out there who are out there doing their best for their children and striving in their independence, in their strength, in their power. I just wanted to come out with a powerful message like that.”

Rome Flynn — “Keep Me In Mind”

How to Get Away With Murder‘s Rome Flynn not only acts but he sings too, and he happens to be really good at it. Assembled by Grammy Award-winning producer Bizness Boi, the R&B crooner’s latest release “Keep Me In Mind” is a provocative love ballad emanating in close intimacy.

24kGoldn — “Unbelievable” Feat. Kaash Paige

Rising singers 24kGoldn and Kaash Paige connect for the (un)official dreamy live-action visual made to their collab single “Unbelievable.” The song’s infectious melody borrows from Drake’s 2011 fan-favorite “Marvins Room,” turning it into an ethereal vortex that’s hard to escape.

Check out this week’s R&B picks, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-jojo-trey-songz/feed/0402396577All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-victoria-monet-alina-baraz/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Alina Baraz, Victoria Monét and Sir.]]>

Getty Images/Uproxx Studios

Sometimes good R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the hottest R&B jams that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, Victoria Monét isn’t being shy about what she wants on her latest single “Dive” and Alina Baraz finally releases her long-awaited debut album, It Was Divine. For TDE Appreciation Week, Sir offers “Rapper Weed” with Boogie. Check out these and the rest below.

Victoria Monét — “Dive”

“Dive” is the second single from singer-songwriter Victoria Monét off her upcoming debut Jaguar, set for release this spring. The bright and cheery slow tune isn’t about taking a dip in a pool on a warm summer’s day, though. More like an invitation to go down below, where the sun doesn’t shine.

Alina Baraz — It Was Divine

Alina Baraz’s debut album It Was Divine is here. The musing project contains features from hip-hop luminary Nas as well as additional guest appearances from 6lack, Smino, and Khalid. Alina’s angelic voice encapsulates It Was Divine with love and passion.

Sir — “Rapper Weed” Feat. Boogie

As part of TDE Appreciation Week, the team delivers “Rapper Weed” by Inglewood crooner Sir with Compton’s own Boogie on for a verse as an ode to Mary Jane. Sir also handles the rich production on “Rapper Weed,” as he celebrates everything nature’s dankest gift to earth has to offer.

Zacari — “This Woman’s Work” Feat. Che Ecru

Coming off last years’ Run Wild Run, Zacari applies pressure with the elusive “This Woman’s Work” featuring Che Ecru as part of TDE Appreciation Week. Zacari navigates steamy thoughts about his favorite dancer with vocals that ascend to the highest point of explosion, Kate Bush would be proud.

Eric Bellinger — Optimal Music

After speaking to Uproxx about the state of R&B last month, Eric Bellinger‘s Optimal Music is finally here. “This is the optimal quality of the beat selection, from the music to the vocals,” he told us. The project includes guest appearances from Young Thug, Jeremih and Joe Moses, among others.

T-Pain — “Wake Up Dead” Feat. Chris Brown

T-Pain flexes his organic vocals, no preservatives (autotune) on his latest release “Wake Up Dead,” featuring Chris Brown for the layup. The sexually-charged song was first heard on T-Pain’s Verzuz Instagram live battle with Lil Jon earlier in the month with production by KC Supreme of the adept Internet Money crew.

Masego — “Veg Out (Wasting Thyme)”

Masego has given the world a taste of what’s to come for the rest of 2020 with his flirtatious jazzy-trap cut “Veg Out (Wasting Thyme).” The clever Virginia talent boasts different levels of his eclectic vocals over bass-heavy production with champion wordplay.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Mike Dean is a true Houston legend. His creative energy has been deeply-rooted within the Dirty South culture since the early ’90s, as evidenced by his work with the Geto Boys and Scarface. While he is mostly known for his work with multi-platinum superstars Kanye West and Travis Scott, being from H-Town, he’s also worked with one the biggest entertainers on the planet, Beyonce.

During an Instagram live interview with Uproxx, Mr. Dean went off on the keys to Queen Bey’s “Love Drought,” one of the songs he produced on her surprise, Peabody Award-winning album Lemonade.

“I made that beat all by myself,” he revealed. “That beat didn’t change from the minute I created the beat. I just gave it to Beyonce… Ingrid [Burley] wrote it.”

Beyonce and Dean’s relationship goes far beyond Lemonade, though. Mike first met Bey back when she was just a teenager.

“I think the first time I met her she was like 14 and her dad brought her in when I was working with the Geto Boys,” he revealed. “She was too young to sing on some of the stuff back then. You know, for the subject matter we had it didn’t really work out. I met her again for the ‘Gangsta (Put Me Down)’ music video, another Geto Boys song that we did. I mean she’s great. She’s great to work with.”

As the world tries to adjust while on lockdown because of COVID-19, Mike got high and put together a compilation of the music he created while doing Instagram live sessions in his studio, aptly titled 4:20.

Each session features him jamming out on his guitar and doing his thing on the synths. He called it the most creative thing he’s ever done high and from just one listen, it certainly is a one-of-a-kind experience. If you were ever curious about the inner-workings of a musical mastermind, 4:20 is the perfect beat instrumental to massage your mind as you blow a few joints in the air. The project can be found on his site — along with some fire merch.

Fans can expect an additional instrumental EP and another EP to follow with major collabs.

Check Mike Dean’s 4:20 EP below.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/mike-dean-420-interview-beyonce/feed/0402384612All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-dvsn-summer-walker/
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Uproxx Studios
All of the best R&B songs released this week from dvsn, The-Dream, and Pink Sweats.]]>

Uproxx Studios

Sometimes good R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the hottest R&B jams that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Daniel Daley and Nineteen85 of Dvsn came through this week with their album A Muse In Her Feelings, which includes a track featuring Summer Walker that flips their 2016 Sept. 5th cut “Do It Well,” The-Dream came together with Jhene Aiko for the freaky bedroom single “Wee Hours,” and Pink Sweats dropped off his latest tune “Ride With Me.”

Dvsn — “‘Flawless’ Do It Well Pt. 3” Feat. Summer Walker

I am truly grateful for the divine intervention that which brought together Dvsn and Summer Walker for “‘Flawless’ Do It Well Pt. 3,” a rework of 2016’s Sept. 5th‘s cut “Do It Well.” The OG track is all about a girl who essentially dances so well that Mr. Daniel Daly is compelled to throw cash in the air. “‘Flawless’ Do It Well Pt. 3,” which lives on the newly released A Muse In Her Feelings, is simply an answer to the track from the perspective of Summer Walker and oscillates between a slow groove and upbeat-tempo.

The-Dream — “Wee Hours” Feat. Jhene Aiko

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter The-Dream and healing vocalist Jhene Aiko did what needed to be done on Mr. Nash’s SXTP4‘s “Wee Hours.” It’s a freaky late-night love tale about sex so good Jhene sings about “keepin’ hair ties and scrunchies” ready just in case.

Pink Sweats — “Ride With Me”

Pink Sweats second single of the year “Ride With Me” is a fun, R&B bop that is absolutely summertime ready. The heart-warming jam follows the Philly-bred singer’s previously released song “17,” and at this rate, it feels like there’s more to look forward to from here.

Themxxnlight — “It’s Over”

Dynamic R&B twins Themxxnlight gave fans a double dosage of music Friday with “It’s Over” and “Miss Me,” off their pending EP The Cure. “It’s Over” is a paralyzing subset and emotional need for closure of a love that has passed, while “Miss Me” is a charming slow groove lined with heavy-bass as a loving enchantment to look into “the moonlight.”

Amber Mark — “Waiting (Demo)”

Continuing the momentum of her COVERED-19 series, Amber Mark brandishes her vocal range with proweress on “Waiting (Demo).” Drenched in infallible emotion, Amber chants a promise to hold down her lover now and forever. Last week, the burgeoning singer released a cover of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box.”

Leon Bridges — “Inside Friend” Feat. John Mayer

Leon Bridges and John Mayer combined their omnipotent voices for the sex playlist-ready track “Inside Friend” at an impromptu jam session last year. It’s an introvert’s dream of finding a love who is down for being lazy together on a Saturday morning with an open door policy to back through whenever.

Lyrica Anderson — “Marriott”

Lyrica Anderson might be known for Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood, but she’s actually a Grammy Award-nominated, hit-making machine as certainly one of the top songwriters in the industry. Today she reminds everyone why with her addictive break-up track “Marriott.” Lyrica runs through her thoughts as she chills at the hotel to think things over romantic drama being exposed on The Shaderoom and now she’s ready to bounce on to the next, tapping into her inner savage.

Ashton Travis & Chase B — “Casino”

Houston’s own Ashton Travis and Chase B connect for an otherworldly melodic trance, which is offered by their collaborative single “Casino.” Though the world is currently confined to their homes, Ashton imagines splurging on his woman during a quick trip to Las Vegas.

Rotimi — Unplugged Sessions EP

Power star Rotimi has been keeping busy making music during the quarantine and delivered his Unplugged Sessions EP with three fresh songs and three acoustic versions of his popular singles “Legend,” “Love Riddim,” and “In My Bed.” The six-pack features Rotimi’s voice passionately serenading on every track as he returns to the missed loving elements of R&B.

Allyn — “Dirty Laundry”

Sacramento R&B staple Allyn doubles down on her secret love and tempts the object of her affection with her recently released single “Dirty Laundry.” The sultry track is Allyn’s first single of the year and the follow-up to last year’s Needed EP.

Kaash Paige — “Frank Ocean”

On this day, Frank Ocean released “Thinkin’ Bout You” and Kaash Paige pays homage to the song and the man that she says influenced her the most. “Frank Ocean” is Paige’s interpretation of the Channel Orange favorite as she ponders if her boo is thinking about her just as much as she is.

Keke Palmer — “Sticky”

Keke Palmer claims what’s hers on the saucy single “Sticky” as she brags about the magnificence of her kitty cat. “Lipgloss sticky, attitude bitchy / How I taste? Peachy,” she sings with pure seduction and satisfaction. Keke has been releasing track after track lately, hopefully a full EP lies somewhere in the near future.

Don Toliver — Heaven or Hell (CHOPNTSLOP REMIX)

OG Ron C and DJ Candlestick of the illustrious Chopstars got their hands on Don Toliver‘s Heaven Or Hell and worked their chopped and screwed magic for the Chop Not Slop Remix. The Houston crooner is currently signed to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack label and impressed on Scott’s Astroworld cut “Can’t Say,” following the release of his 2018 debut project Donny Womack. This year, his track “No Idea” off Cactus Jack’s No.1 collaborative project JackBoys went viral on TikTok and now he’s gearing up to join The Weeknd on his After Hours Tour.

Radiant Children — “Sky Mind”

Last fall, Radiant Children was handpicked by Tyler, The Creator to perform at Camp Flog Gnaw and Nile Rodgers himself for the Meltdown Festival to perform cuts off their 2018 EP and now they’re returned to offer neo-funk dream, “Sky Mind.” The London trio’s latest track actually made an appearance on the new season of HBO’s Insecure after being debuted on Zane Lowe’s World Record.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Photo Credit: Juan Veloz
Uproxx caught up with Ambjaay about 'It Cost To Live Like This 2', his thoughts on TikTok fame, and what to expect next.]]>

Photo Credit: Juan Veloz

Summertime in 2019 was captivated by a wave of Spanish-infused West Coast hip-hop thanks to Watts, California’s own Ambjaay and his platinum-selling hit “Uno.” The catchy song caught the attention of celebrities worldwide and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as the publication’s 100 Best Songs of 2019.

With production by Almighty Quise, “Uno” kickstarted a plethora of Latino-influenced slaps such as YG’s “Go Loko” last year and Tyga’s “Ayy Macarena” remake, and though the 20-year-old is proud of his influence and accomplishments, he’s ready to show the world what he’s got with his latest release, It Cost To Live Like This 2.

The project’s only guest feature is Wiz Khalifa on “Blow The Pickle,” who Jaay says was extremely supportive of him from the very beginning as the song began to gain steam on the fun video-sharing app TikTok. As someone who blew up relatively quickly straight out of high school, the buzzing star is simply grateful things happened the way they did.

Uproxx got the opportunity to catch up with Jaay about It Cost To Live Like This 2, his thoughts on TikTok fame, and why everyone should expect more from him than just songs like “Uno.”

On It Cost To Live Like This 2, you have a song called “Blow The Pickle” on there with Wiz Khalifa and I know Wiz was one of the first people that supported you when “Uno” came out. How did that collab come about?

So basically, Wiz already wanted to get on “Uno.” My A&R sent it to him, and he sent it right back. He been messing with me for a long time. It’s not too many rappers that be messing with up-and-coming rappers like that or supporting them. He’s a real humble dude. I was just blessed for him to mess with me while I’m up-and-coming.

How did you guys first get in touch? Was it over Instagram?

He hit me on Instagram, and then he was like, “Aye, let me get your number.” I gave him my number, he FaceTimed me, and was like, “Can I get the ‘Uno’ beat, so I could freestyle it?” And then every show, some fans will just send me a video of him freestyling to the “Uno” beat. It’s crazy.

That’s dope! When did you first realize that “Uno” was a hit? You probably knew it was going to be big, but when did you realize, “Dang, this really hit.”

What people don’t know is, “Uno” been blew up where I was from. But probably, like the middle of the summer when it blew up big. I’m talking about like movie stars, actors, rappers noticing is when it started going crazy. When people first started gravitating to it, I just wanted to work harder. I was like, man, I got one, I got to get more in. That’s how I feel, you can’t just get stuck on one. I was trying to make more. I just feel like it was a catchy, fun song. When I first made it, I kind of spoke it to existence. I was like, “This the one.” The producer, he didn’t even have no faith in me. I’m like, “Bro, this the one.” Because you wouldn’t expect people to do this, wouldn’t expect people to come like this on a record like this.

Do you ever worry about sounding too West Coast, to the point where maybe it won’t resonate with other people?

I’ve got different songs that’s not West Coast, like trap, but I’m different from other West Coast rappers. It kind of be hard to branch off, to be honest — everything sound the same now. Like you might hear drum patterns in a beat, and it still be West Coast. Everybody’s got their own style, though.

Yep. Very true. Now, “Uno” blew up on TikTok. What are your thoughts on TikTok? Did you know what that app was before it blew up on there?

I love that app, man. I feel like without Instagram and apps like that, it would be hard. You know how back in the days they used to like pass off they CDs out they trunks. I swear if we didn’t have internet or these little apps, it’d be hard to blow. It’d be hard to do music. So that really helped me a lot, because people get to show how creative they is and do little videos. Actually, since we’ve been on quarantine, I fell in love with TikTok. I been learning how to use the app.

Out of all places for you to blow up, did you think TikTok would be the app that did it?

Not really. Because I had went away from it for a little while. I wasn’t really on it. But, once the labels showed me, I was like, “Damn, this sh*t crazy.” That one song helps you build up your fanbase for sure, though.

I also saw something where you mentioned in LA Latinos and Black people don’t really get along, so this song can bring us together. I want to know more about your take on that and where you have seen a positive effect.

It ain’t no race song. It’s just bringing both cultures together. What I mean about that is, “Uno” has Latino instruments and I just combine both to bring us together. I swear, if you go to jail — I haven’t been to jail, but there’s this story: If you go to jail, it’s a race card. You got to roll with your color when you go to jail. This just me doing my research. Some Mexicans don’t get along with Black people, some Black people don’t get along with Mexicans. I was just doing that just to have fun. It’s both of our cultures in one.

Are you seeing positive effects from the song?

Yeah, it’d be like 80 percent positive. 20 [percent] that be like, “It’s a race card” because they don’t got nothing else to do. It’s a fun song. It ain’t like racist words. It’s just basic Spanish words in the song.

Yeah. I think YG and Tyga kind of had that same issue with “Go Loko” and “Ayy Macarena.”

And that’s another thing I be wanting to say. People don’t know this and I don’t even like doing this, but I was like one of the first ones to come with that sound in 2019. I made “Uno,” like, on January 3, just before I got signed. “Uno” got me signed. I been made it, we just bumped it up.

It already blew up where I was from and then everybody started doing songs like that. I feel like once you come with your own sound, and then everybody was hearing it, and [some Latino people] just felt like, okay, you wearing it out. “Y’all wearing our culture out.”

I was looking at your Twitter, and I saw you got your first plaque. Congrats! How does it feel?

It feel good! Where I come from, not too many people getting plaques and it just went platinum, too. Where I come from, it’s the projects. For me to even get signed, not too many people doing that. Most people my age give up their goals, don’t really chase their dreams, [and] don’t really want to be nothing. I had to change my life and do something positive with my life.

Growing up in Watts, what other options were you looking at, outside of rap?

If I wasn’t rapping, I’d want to transition into an actor. I wanted to be a basketball player. I was going to be one of those, though. I don’t want to just rap. I want to go into acting, do better things to open doors.

It feels like nowadays rappers can blow up so fast. Three years is a very short amount of time to blow.

Yeah, I feel I blew up at the right time. Before my time, my brother, he was a music producer, and my sister, she used to write poetry. It was always around me. It was just up to me to go through my own problems to figure out what I really wanted to do. When you fresh out of high school, you don’t really know what you want to do.

Especially people our age, most people my age don’t want to go to college. When you graduate high school, life hits you hard and you really don’t know what you fixing to do. I ain’t know what I was fixing to do. I tried to get a job, it wasn’t working for me and I was just rapping at the same time, while I’m trying to get a job. I just came with that one, and God was just on my side. Got lucky. I feel like, if you put your mind to it, everything’s going to work out. If you really try to go hard, everything going to work out.

It Cost To Live Like This 2 is out now on Columbia Records. Get it here.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/ambjaay-interview-it-cost-to-live-like-this-2/feed/0402361831All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hearhttps://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-kiana-lede-india-shawn-tory-lanez/
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All of the best R&B songs released this week from Kiana Ledé, India Shawn, and Tory Lanez.]]>

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Sometimes good R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the hottest R&B jams that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

First up, Kiana Ledé released her debut album Kiki and along with it came a ladies night FaceTime visual with Ari Lennox for the track “Chocolate.” Elsewhere, India Shawn reconnected with 6lack for the affectionate “Not Too Deep” and Tory Lanez came through with his new EP New Toronto 3 featuring standout cut “Stupid Again.”

Kiana Ledé — “Chocolate.” Feat. Ari Lennox

Kiana Ledé and Dreamville’s Ari Lennox connect for their mutual love of “Chocolate.” on Kiana’s latest single from her debut album Kiki. Both of their sweet voices blended on this track gives the song a bit of richness and is a fulfilling achievement as it’s a fairly easy decision to return for more. Kiki’s jazzy voice praises the mother of somebody’s son and all of her desires in a man, while Ari chimes in with her ambrosial vocals expressing a few desires of her own as the two indulge in conversations reserved for ladies night between homegirls. In this case it’s over FaceTime because of, you know, The Rona.

India Shawn — “Not Too Deep” Feat. 6lack

India Shawn wants to fall in love on her new song “Not Too Deep” featuring 6lack. The Epic recording artist fearlessly swims through the track with her soulful voice expressing a kind of love where two souls connect and, naturally, 6lack meets her there with the same energy.

Tory Lanez — “Stupid Again”

Tory Lanez has been going crazy on Instagram with his notoriously wild and entertaining Quarantine Radio featuring big booties everywhere (he got temporarily banned and everything). On Friday (April 10), he unleashed The New Toronto 3 and is going equally crazy on the project’s rambunctious joint “Stupid Again.”

Love Mansuy — “Count On You” Feat. Lil Wayne

A rarity, Lil Wayne hopped on the remix of Love Mansuy’s “Count On You” off his 2019 EP Of Age. Weezy F. Baby raps all the ways he can count on his girl in a way that’s reminiscent of Da Drought. Mansuy also counts all the ways he can count on his own family and friends as he chases his dreams. It’s a charming addition to the already very good song that can only be heard on Amazon Music.

PJ — “Intentions/Yummy” (Justin Bieber Cover)

PJ is taking this sequestered moment in time to release a series of tracks for her latest musical endeavor, The Quarantine Tapes. She already put her sultry drip onto Roddy Ricch’s Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial number “High Fashion” and this week she fulfilled the same feat to Justin Beiber’s “Intentions/Yummy.”

Amber Mark — “Heart-Shaped Box”

Nirvana‘s 1993 In Utero song “Heart-Shaped Box” is absolutely one of my favorites and Amber Mark, a burgeoning R&B superstar everyone should be looking out for, really did her thing to the grunge record by truly singing it with her own divine essence. It’s a remarkable interpretation of Kurt Cobain’s angsty drawl.

Dvsn — “Dangerous City” Feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Buju Banton

OVO Sound’s Dvsn never misses so expect nothing but pure melodically dulcet rhythm and blues from Daniel Daly and producer Nineteen85 on their upcoming project A Muse In Her Feelings. Though their music is generally an ethereal slow build-up of robust sounds and heavenly vocals, their latest single off the forthcoming project, “Dangerous City” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and iconic Jamaican artist Buju Banton, is vibrant, unexpected, and needed. Once we can go back outside, I expect “Dangerous City” to rise as 2020’s perfect summertime R&B chune.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rb-songs-this-week-kiana-lede-india-shawn-tory-lanez/feed/0402369412Mozzy Narrates Enlightening Hip-Hop For The Streets In A Way That Only He Canhttps://uproxx.com/music/mozzy-interview-beyond-bulletproof/
https://uproxx.com/music/mozzy-interview-beyond-bulletproof/#respondTue, 07 Apr 2020 16:13:33 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402360379

Framework Studios/Uproxx Studios
Through his own evolution, Mozzy opens up to Uproxx about the journey of making 'Beyond Bulletproof.']]>

Framework Studios/Uproxx Studios

Mozzy has the attention of the streets simply because he speaks the hood’s language. When Mozzy speaks, his words present themselves as bright, expressive stanzas, proving himself to be a great sermonizer in addition to a talented wordsmith.

Hailing from Sacramento’s toughest neighborhood Oak Park, where things have not always been so sweet for him, the now Grammy Award-nominated artist has always been one to look at the silver linings of conflicted situations. He’s so in love with the “beautiful struggle” that he used the title for two separate songs; in 2015, he titled a track from Bladadah “Beautiful Struggle” and the following year, he released a project of the same name with another song titled “Beautiful Struggle.”

Now, his new album Beyond Bulletproof is slated for release May 1 and its artwork is an ode to the forgotten souls of his community, including drug addicts, the homeless, and those lost because they have been socially defined by their past mistakes.

Mozzy is not afraid to embrace the ugly, and that is the energy his forthcoming album sits in. Even as the entire planet is on a worldwide lockdown and people are mandated to stay indoors as a way to avoid spreading and catching the debilitating coronavirus, Mozzy isn’t really tripping about this moment in time. “I’m in love with it,” he tells Uproxx over the phone.

“The effects it has on family members and just bringing everybody closer together and just pausing,” he continues. “It’s like I could just pause all the materialistic things. None of that sh*t really matter right now. It holds no substance and that’s the type of person I am, so I’m ecstatic about it.”

His journey is similar to that of Nipsey Hussle or Tupac Shakur in that both had goals of helping out their community through the knowledge held in their music. As he rhymes on “I Ain’t Perfect” from Beyond Bulletproof: “I’m returning to the slums to get my people right.”

Plus, Mozzy loves being amongst the people. Perhaps it’s why, as his fame and music have grown, he’s not rapping about materialistic things but about the mentality needed to elevate, as heard on the motivating “Overcame.” The Oak Park native is living proof that it’s possible and he was gingerly inspired by his late grandmother, Brenda Patterson-Usher, who raised him while she was a member of the Black Panther Party.

During our conversation, Mozzy opened up about the intentions behind Beyond Bulletproof, his choice to see a therapist following the passing of his grandmother, and why he loves burgeoning Chicago rap star Polo G.

You got your new album Beyond Bulletproof coming out May 1 and I saw that you have a new series of you speaking to a therapist. I know you just lost your grandmother, which has always been a big part of your music. When did you first realize it was time to see a therapist and that it was okay to do so?

I used to joke about it. I feel like my music has really, truly been a therapist throughout my whole life, as therapy for me. But it’s after losing Grams, after losing my grandmother, I really don’t have nobody that I could communicate with on that type of level. I’m very discreet about certain things with certain people and there’s not too many people that’s on her level. I don’t feel that comfort with that many people. Talking to a therapist and knowing that everything you say is confidential and the fact that she doesn’t know me, I don’t know her; so it’s a lack of judgment there. I just wanted to try it out. I felt like it’d benefit me in the space I’m in right now.

How did you go about finding the right therapist?

I left it up to my manager, but I told him I wanted an African-American lady. I wanted somebody who could understand me and understand the background and upbringing, and somebody who could really sympathize being a young African-American male who lives in America today.

And she has you doing those breathing exercises. Do you find yourself doing that now, pausing and breathing?

Not really. Finally, when I do Wiz’s Kush Up Challenge! I ain’t going to lie, I almost cracked up. I almost started laughing but I was trying to be very respectful. I didn’t want her to think I thought she was a bullshitter. So I held it in. I did good.

Well, how do you relax in those moments where you find yourself really just going off?

I’m really relaxed. I get in a mood, not necessarily with people unless I’m just really comfortable with someone and we have that vibe. But really I get in my real relaxed state of mind, just real calm. I calm everything down when I get on the freeway, when I’m in a car, when I’m by myself, when I’m entitled to cry, when I’m just entitled to freestyle. I’m entitled to do whatever I feel. I’m entitled to say what I feel. When I can yell, when I can let my grandmother know “I miss you.”

This shit hurt, this shit crazy. Sometimes this shit don’t even feel like it’s worth it because it ain’t everything I did it for. I was doing it so she could… I wanted to put a smile on her face. I wanted her to feel all the work and effort she put in. That’s like me putting in so much work, so much effort, and then I don’t really get to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It just feels unfair but I’m able to just release all that. I’m able to talk to the universe and just put that out there when I’m on a freeway.

You’ve mentioned before about how she was a great person in the community and always helping out. I see you’ve been doing that. Plus, your music has grown, it’s matured a lot and I hear you rapping about a different subject matter. Do you feel a responsibility to carry on that same legacy as her?

For sure. For sure. I seen Queen And Slim and he said, “As long as my family know my legacy, I’m Gucci and Gabbana.” That’s kind of like her. She wasn’t really worried about the world and outside of the world and me publicizing. She had plenty of times they do interviews to talk about me, even during the time she was very healthy. Just the discreteness within her, it wouldn’t let her do it. I respect that she didn’t have a funeral service. She kept it real close-knit, even though she’s a big dog and a pillar within the community.

She told us she didn’t want others to see us at our weakest hour. That’s why she dictated and directed it to be like that because she didn’t want the world to see us at our weakest hour and I respect it. That’s just the type of person she was. So, sure, carry her legacy within a family. But it’s just within me, period. It’s the way I live. Just the way I raise my daughters, my sincerity. Just taking everything … just doing things with passion, everything. Every little thing that I remember her just reiterating all the time. It come to light nowadays and I try to apply within my daily living.

Your song “I Ain’t Perfect” with Blxst shows it’s okay to not be perfect and no one on earth is, but you can always become a better person. What are some ways that you think that you’ve worked on becoming a better person?

Spending more time with my children, that always helps. It fulfills me. Looking out for people. Instead of looking out for a couple of people this month, we going to look out for 20 people. Even if it’s small, even if it’s minute. Just looking out for people. I’m taking it to the next level of looking out. Just going further with it. Reading; that always assists me. It helps mold me. Dedicating myself to my family. Understanding what a priority is. Understanding how to prioritize and just understanding that we are limited to time on this earth and so whatever it is that I want to accomplish, whether it’s with family, financially, socially, I got a bite down. I got to live within a moment. I got to do it right now, right now. Practicing living in the moment always help me.

I also want to talk about Polo G since he’s featured on the album too. I see him kind of taking those same steps that you, Nipsey Hussle, and G Herbo have. What’s your relationship with him?

Oh, that’s my boy. Polo G. That’s my dog. Pull up to the video shoots. You can invite me to a shoot or even invite me to an interview or whatever the case, and it could be in one of his slimiest, treacherous neighborhood and I’m a blow down on you. I’m going to pull up, I’m going to follow through with that commitment regardless of the potential dangers. I fuck with him heavy since 30. You understand me? It’s a lack of real n****s in this rap shit. A lot of n****s get big-headed when they reach a certain social status and I just got unlimited respect for the ones who still well-grounded in this shit, man, because it’s a little bit all the same.

I know this project’s about second chances, not really being perfect, and really introspective. What is a second chance you were given that you are most grateful for?

Life. Freedom. I feel like I was at a dark space in my life in 2014. One of the darkest. I had my daughter, I was fighting for custody, I was broke, I was living with granny and I’ve just had a lot of conflict. I was funking with the neighborhood, I was funking with the opposition. I just had a lot going on. I really didn’t care about life, I didn’t care about death. It’s crazy that I… because I could feel it, I could taste it, I could smell it right now. I recall just vividly being in that, under those circumstances.

I went to jail. I went to jail for something minute. I could’ve went to jail for something crazy, but I went to jail for something minute. I got full understanding that God function with me. It got to be God. It got to be a higher power and I got to be in his favor because it was just ugly. It was ugly for me and he set me down, temporarily, just momentarily type shit. He let me get my mind right. He gave me enough time. It wasn’t too little, it wasn’t too much. I came home and I got to work. It’s just blessings upon blessing. I’m grateful. Thankful.

Love it. What is the ultimate thing you want people to get out of Beyond Bulletproof and what do we have to look forward to in the future?

The definition of bulletproof love. I just want to stay up there. I feel like I’m the face of Beyond Bulletproof. I feel like I’m the face of bulletproof love. I just wanted to take it a step further and let them know it’s Beyond Bulletproof. I really believe this shit on and off cameras. I want the forgotten. I want the one’s that’s overlooked. I want them to feel like it’s their time to shine. That n**** talking about me, he’s talking about my life. This album — it’s for me. I want them to feel possessive of the album. I want them to feel like that motherfucker was painted direct specifically for them. I just want them to be able to utilize it as a therapy tool. Cry to it, laugh to it, smile to it, get mad to it. It’s a roller coaster of emotion. I want them to really experience it, you understand? In a 3D manner.

It sounds like, with your music and Nipsey Hussle and music like that… it sounds like your music is that for the hood?

That was the best way you could paint it. I know a lot of people get mad at me cause I ain’t been on that raw-raw hype lately. I ain’t been on that 1 Up Top Ahk. I ain’t really been on that hype. I’ve been on a more progressive hype. I’m on a more productive hype and more uplifting. I think it just got a lot more substance.

My core fanbase don’t really fuck with it like that, but it’s growth and development and I understand the process. I ain’t going to be great living in 2008. I can’t be great if I’m still living in 2008. I got to progress with the time and that’s what I’m doing. My music has always been my truth. Truthfully, right now this is how I feel. I don’t know if it’s because I got a bag or cause I live on a 50th floor or cause I could take any car I want to drive this week. I don’t know if that’s the case, but I’m just in a more uplifting spirit and that’s what you’re going to get out of this album.

Courtsey of Big Hassle Media
Eric Bellinger talks about his journey of being called on by some of the biggest acts in the music industry and keeping R&B holy.]]>

Courtsey of Big Hassle Media

R&B savior Eric Bellinger knows rhythm and blues, and his expertise has landed him songwriting credits for some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Usher, Brandy, and, yes, even pop sensation Selena Gomez.

The likes of Justin Bieber, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Tyrese have all leaned on Bellinger to pen and create their chart-topping hits. In 2011, the Compton native won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his contributions on Chris Brown’s album F.A.M.E. Last year, he earned songwriting credits for his work on Wale’s platinum-selling hit “On Chill” featuring Jeremih as well as credit on Chris Brown’s Indigo.

Considering the plethora of celebrated accolades under his belt, Eric maintains a level of modesty that is to be admired. He is certainly one of the few keeping R&B pure in all of its glory and understands how to unite rhythm to blues, while keeping the essence of love sonically innate.

R&B great Brandy once reminded him that she was a fan of his during a studio session and Usher once summoned him to Atlanta upon hearing “Lemme See,” which would go on to live on 2012’s Looking 4 Myself and become a Hot 100 smash.

As one of the more consistent R&B leaders out there, within the past year he released three projects: The Rebirth 2, Cuffing Season 3 and Saved By The Bellinger, collectively racking over 500 million combined streams. As 2014’s “I Don’t Want Her” and 2019’s “Type A Way” featuring Breezy has shown, he is fully capable of creating hits for himself.

Now, he’s preparing for the April 24 release of his next album Optimal Music with longtime friend Neiman Johnson AKA Yoshi, with features from Wale, Young Thug and Jeremih.

With Optimal Music debut track “Say Less” already out, R&B’s guardian angel spoke with Uproxx about his journey of being called on by some of the biggest acts in the music industry while still maintaining his own sense of individualism and keeping R&B holy.

It’s been a wild week! How are you coping right now with the lockdown?

I’m doing good. I’m enjoying the time home with family and I honestly needed a reset more than I knew. I go so hard and like, it actually took this to really charge up again.

What type of things are you doing in place of what you’d normally be doing and what have you replaced your time with?

Actually, I finally finished my own studio just in time. We didn’t have any idea that this was going to be happening but I’ve been able to just be at home working like normal. It’s a blessing for me because I don’t really have to leave the house for what I do. I know how to engineer myself and everything. I just kind of go in there and just get to it.

Are you having like people come over too, or are you just…

Nah, I just do it myself. For example, I’ll email my entire Pro Tools session to my engineer and he’ll mix it from his house. Then, I’ll hit my boy that does my artwork, and he’ll send me the artwork. Everything has been going down like through email. We’re still working. Producers…they’re sending me beats through email. I think this is going to be a time that can separate the creators and the innovators from the spectators.

Very interesting. That was my next question…how are you collabing? So, through email, you guys are texting each other and bouncing off ideas in that way?

Yep, exactly. Being a songwriter it’s like, I’m able to just kind of freely go crazy but it’s dope because I don’t really make the beats as fluid, so I am somebody who likes to collab when it comes to making beats. Any of the beats that I’ve produced, I’ve always done a co-production with someone. Lately, the producers have just been sending me packs and emails of packs and different types of sounds. I’ve been able to just kind of take my pick through the beats, not only from the multiple beats that each producer would send, but multiple producers.

It sounds like you’re going to be making a lot of music. You’ve got the studio built up and I saw you got that “Mask On” song.

I was just having fun at first, it was so funny to me like I couldn’t record lines without laughing. This is funny but I was like, nah, let me just keep it serious because I just really wanted to help spread the awareness.

Love it. I also came across a photo of you wearing a hat that says “Make R&B Great Again.” I just want to talk about that for a little bit.

Oh, yeah.

I think you’re one of those main people that really works to keep R&B pure so what’s your opinion on R&B right now and where would you like for it to be?

I think there’s some great R&B out there, but I think it’s not up to the artist at this point to make it great. I think it’s really up to the powers that be. I think it’s really controlled by media and the labels and the different budgets. Radio isn’t going to just break an R&B song when all of their songs are uptempo. All of the songs are kind of driven towards just a little bit more uptempo, so the ballads and songs don’t really have a home at radio. Same thing for all the different TV stations, you know how they used to have 106 and Park, and like all of the things that were breaking R&B artists — the platform is just no longer available.

I don’t blame it on the artists completely, because I do think there’s some great music, but it’s just really hard to find it because the agenda has been something other than just substance and talent. People are more so entertained by all the shenanigans that go on just from the viral noise that we hear, and it just took away from the music. I think not only do we as a culture of R&B need to stand together more as well. I think we look divided as a genre. But I do think that the labels and the blogs and the higher-ups have a lot to do with making it great as well for the people, for the consumer.

It’s interesting you say that. I have this theory that once Midnight Love went away, R&B kind of went on the decline. I look at the timeline that Midnight Love was off BET and when there started to be less R&B on the Hot 100 charts and you see it.

Once there was more trap music and you started seeing bedroom playlists were like Lil Uzi Vert and Future, you see the girls and ladies, they like their little trap. They don’t necessarily want the smooth grooves and society was a little bit softer. Then, everybody wanted to be hard, everybody wanted to be in savage mode. The R&B community as a whole just kind of took a hit because the smooth guy… And the girls was more so into the bad boys. It was like, all right, well either I’m going to transition to this false identification of someone.

What I did was stay true to the music. Stay true to my love, stay true to my heart, which is real music, which is singing about one woman, which is glorifying women. It was saturated by the more so the bad boy-esque “I’m fucking you” and “I’m fucking your home girls” and “I’m calling an Uber X for you.” It’s so disrespectful I’d rather be the last one standing. I feel like the times that we’re in now, I don’t even say the last one standing. I used to say the last of the dying breed, but now I like to say first of a rising breed. I really feel like it’s a big time, a turnaround for R&B right now.

R&B was like more like silky smooth, and then like in the 2000s you saw R&B artists kind of start to look like “rappers.”

It was silky smooth, right?

They was talking about loving their woman, and I’m sorry for cheating.

Exactly. It’s like, threesomes, girlfriend, boyfriend number two, side dude nation. All of these other agendas were kind of pushed to the forefront when it comes to R&B. So not only did we lose talent, but we also lost the essence of what it stood for.

Period. I know you got Optimal Music coming out April. Why are you calling it Optimal Music? What does that mean?

Me and Neiman just kind of came together and the word optimal just kind of was like the highest level, the furthest level of getting the most out of it, the most positive end result, just kind of pushing the limits of capacity of greatness because we have the best of the best. This is the optimal quality of the beat selection, from the music to the vocals. I think when you have a bunch of people that come together to work on something, if it’s oftentimes better because you have more brains. Two heads is better than one, but what if you have ten heads that are all working and operating at the same level?

Neiman really, really did his thing. I’m proud of him for just kind of taking the lead on this one and spearheading a classic, because we’ve always worked so great together and now we’re 10 years in the game so the knowledge that we’ve obtained together, it’s even crazier now than what it was back then. To come together with me as my best friend, my brother, and to create an album based off our similarities and our love, it brought us back to a good place. To come back around 10 years later and to drop this album together, it’s really going to be something special.

On October 10th, 2010 we dropped Born II Sing Vol. 1 on 10-10-10, really. Of course, we’ve done so much work together throughout but this is the first one we really came together. It’s literally been ten years now being 2020 so it’s crazy.

I also want to talk about some of the features that you have on the project, Jeremih specifically because I feel like he’s another person that is holding R&B together right now. I just need to know what’s it’s like when you two guys together in the studio?

It’s honestly like one of the funnest type of studio sessions, because we’re both people that create fearlessly. And we’re both people that like to create and not do what’s already been done. So when it comes to not only those two things, but also him being a student of the game, being from Chicago, watching the greats like R Kelly and actually growing up around that, and for me, growing up out here in the NWA era, like loving everything about Dre, and Ice Cube, and Eazy, and then…

I go to church every Sunday, you know what I’m saying? So the combination, like my combination, his combination, alone, is crazy. And then when you’re with a person… It’s like iron sharpening iron, you know what I mean? I’m not just going to do what I would normally do by myself because Jeremiah’s right there. But now I’m going to try to come with something absolutely crazy. And then he’s going to go in like, I can’t let him just go crazy. It’s like you get to go back and forth and bounce back and forth. And I think that also puts an extra battery in your back.

So you guys kind of bounce off each other with each other’s strengths and bringing out different sides to each other.

For sure. Yeah, he calls it shooting. He’s like, what’s up? We going to shoot? You know, like a basketball player shoots two shots, you know what I’m saying? Like he’s like, yo, what’s up? We’re going to come through, let’s shoot. Literally the same concept is like shooting shots. Like some you’re going to hit, some you’re not. But if you go in with the attitude of work experiment thing?

I want to talk about the Young Thug feature as well because he’s very melodic with his voice. I know that there’s probably some Young Thug on a few R&B playlists. What was it like working with him?

Young Thug has been one of my favorites for a long time. I like really, really love to rap, but I never wanted to be a rapper. I never wanted to. I just wanted to make sure I was always known as the R&B singer. But I love to rap though. Having Young Thug on the song is real big for me. I was excited when he sent a verse over for me to listen to. He killed it, everything that he was saying on the phone. It’s just dope how he’s able to just say what he wants and force the melody to fit the way he…

What type of song is it? Is it a love song?

No, this is like a club banger, like take over the club. If we ever open up out of quarantine.

I know you’re from Compton and I feel like you’ve accomplished a lot. Most people at this point probably would move to New York or out to Calabasas, somewhere all hidden. And I noticed, I see you at a lot of events. You out here and your wife is from LA as well, right?

Yep, yep. We both from LA man. I love it. I love LA, man. I really, really love LA. I travel so many places, and I’ve been blessed to travel since my first hit single, which was “I Don’t Want Her” and that was in 2013 or 2012. I was able to actually tour internationally off that song. So for my own career, I’ve really been traveling and I don’t think there’s no place like LA, I really don’t.

So there’s like no desire to ever leave. You’re here forever.

I’m here. I like other places, but I like getting back home especially since I’ve built my dream life here. I’ve really built a life that I’m proud of. I’ve really gotten to the point where I feel successful. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m happy and… not content or satisfied. I’m happy. I’m really happy. I think you need to, once we feel like we’ve reached that place, maybe it’s content but not satisfied.

Anything that we do from here, it’s just a blessing. I don’t want to go anywhere else because my cars are here, my house is here, my family’s here and I’m rooted right here. I know the streets like the back of my hand. I know all the little spots where you can get the fire food, the massages, whatever you need. I’m stuck at home. I’d rather sleep in my bed rather than the hotel bed.

In 2014 I found out about you through Usher promoting your project The Rebirth. I just remember listening to that and being like, Whoa, this is so good. What was your relationship with Usher then, and what is it now and how has he helped you or mentored you?

I was just with him actually. He shot a video recently and I got like a dope ass little cameo vibe where me and him are chilling. He still calls me when he does videos or whenever he’s in LA. I think the first song that we did together was “Lemme See,” with Rick Ross. That song really put me in good graces with him because he could tell how much I was a fan. He could tell how much I studied him. He could tell how appreciative I was when I was in the room. I always take that approach, just to respect everyone and treat everyone with love. He really embraced me early on with that. I’m talking about to now, birthday parties and we chilling on New Year’s Eve. He was like, come with me to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s house. It’s kind of the life that I would have hoped for.

So, you grew up being a fan of Usher?

Oh yeah, for sure. That was it. It was just Usher. I just wanted to be like Usher. It’s crazy. You know when he heard “Lemme See,” I wrote that one without him being there. He was like, yo, who is this? Get him to Atlanta right now. That was the vibe and it’s been real brotherly love ever since.

So wait, you went to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s house for New Year’s?

Oh my God. Yeah. It was the craziest party ever.

Tell me all about it!

That was crazy, man. It was like everybody that you ever looked at and been a fan of, they were right there dressed up, suited up. They dancing on the dance floor right there. You could bump into somebody, you could bump into Mary J, you could bump into Diddy with your elbow on accident. To actually do these things, that’s why I think I feel so good. I’m already living my dream. Me and Nipsey [Hussle] had an incredible conversation that night and it’s just dope to be able to get in these rooms and these places off your talent and not off of anything other than you deserving to be in those rooms, working hard to be invited.

I love how humble you are.

I really look up to these people. Like I met Brandy for example, who’s my favorite singer ever… When I’m trying to direct her or vocal produce her in the booth, of course everything she does is incredible to me. I remember one time I was like, “Yo, that was good,” and she was like, “Yo, you can’t tell me every take that I do is good. You got to step out of fan mode and understand that you’re here because I’m a fan of you too. I love what you do. Now, let’s get to work.”

At that point I was like, wow, okay, cool. I got to be the person that I was called to be, rather than just being there because they called me.

Courtesy of Biz3
Duke Deuce speaks with Uproxx about connecting with Project Pat and Juicy J, and what it means to resurrect Crunk music.]]>

Courtesy of Biz3

Just last year, Duke Deuce‘s Memphis Massacre cut “Yeh” hit a million YouTube views in just about 30 days with the encouragement of Cardi B, who called on her more than 60 million Instagram followers to check him out. Now, he’s gone viral for the remix of his song “Crunk Ain’t Dead” featuring hip-hop luminaries Project Pat and Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia, as well as Lil Jon.

Discovered by Migos’ Offset and signed to Quality Control in 2017, the 27-year-old hopes to re-ignite excitement into the city with music made to “jook” and “gangtsa walk” to.

“I don’t think the kids really care much for the flashiness,” he told Uproxx over the phone. “It’s cool and all, but they really want to have fun. So you got to give them that.”

In the edited conversation below, the up-and-coming artist speaks with Uproxx about connecting with his Three 6 Mafia idols Project Pat and Juicy J, and what it means to resurrect Crunk music with his latest release Memphis Massacre 2.

How does it feel to know Project Pat was down to get on your song and that Juicy J was down to hop on your song?

Well you know I wrote that tune, so I was honored for them to do the remix and it was really like a dream come true.

How did that conversation go whenever you asked them to get on it?

I mean Pat, he always been supportive. I talked to Pat to get to Juicy J, so he hit him up as well. They got a real close relationship. They like brothers, so he hit Juicy up and Juicy said he was with it, and that was that.

The video was dope, it was filmed in Memphis, right?

Yeah, was in Memphis, and it’s crunk. It’s crunk as hell. For real, for real. Like on a whole nother scale. We took it back to the late eighties and nineties. Real, real crunk. We the gangster walking and all that

So this video has a lot of Memphis culture?

Right. A lot.

Now that you have like the song out and people are re-familiarizing themselves with you, what’s coming up next? Are you going to put out another project soon?

Yes. Memphis Massacre 2 is out now.

Being from Memphis, where do you see yourself within the city’s rich history of musicianship?

Well, me I see myself as really the greatest. The greatest to come out within this period and at this moment. It’s going to be someone else to come after me, essentially, but I feel like I’m already making a legendary mark in the game.

In the viral ‘Crunk Ain’t Dead‘ video where you guys are in the studio and reviving you off the floor, whose idea was it to do that?

A lot of it was my idea. My partners know my ways, they always put they two cents in. As far as the gangster walking on top of the table. I was actually tired and I wasn’t even gonna do that and then my partner was like, “You should do this on top of the tables. Just go on ahead and go in cause they know people want to see it.” I was like, “You know what, you’re right.” So I got up there and that was like one of the main memes that people was reposting and it went viral on Twitter and all over the place.

Most people don’t really talk about or implement where they’re from in their music and the things that they do. It’s just like secondary to their brands and Memphis seems like it’s real tied to your brand.

My intention is I’m really putting history in people’s face. I was coming from Memphis, the roots, and merging two generations together, like from the older generation to the young generation. It’s crazy, I see how kids are really into it and what I’m doing is really old school with a new twist. I just feel like my intention is to really represent the city well, since the city influenced the game heavily. Three 6 Mafia and whoever else was represented. A lot of it is just going back to city.

Definitely, Memphis has influenced hip-hop as a culture, but a lot of people don’t really discuss it and talk about it. Or are even just aware of the of Three 6 Mafia in pop culture. It seems like you are making it less about how much money you got.

I don’t think the kids really care much for the flashiness. It’s cool and all, but they really want to have fun. So you got to give them that.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/duke-deuce-crunk-aint-dead-interview/feed/0402332521Davido Is Bridging The Gap Between Africans And Black Americans With ‘A Good Time’https://uproxx.com/music/davido-interview-a-good-time/
https://uproxx.com/music/davido-interview-a-good-time/#respondThu, 12 Mar 2020 14:58:25 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402330770

Courtesy of Davido
Davido chops it up with Uproxx right before his sold-out Los Angeles concert at The Wiltern.]]>

Courtesy of Davido

As this generation’s Afrobeats leader, Nigerian superstar Davido reigns supreme. Fresh out of an electrifying soundcheck for his sold-out Los Angeles show at The Wiltern, the cultural icon touted as the “King Of Afrobeats,” was gleefully surrounded by family, friends and his French Bulldog pup 30, backstage ahead of his performance.

“I’m ready,” the 27-year-old Billboard chart-topper told Uproxx. “We just had three sold-out shows. It was amazing. I’m just happy to be here. You know, A Good Time is a good time, a good vibe.”

Afrobeats emerged in the early 2000s a fusion of African pop, dance, and hip-hop. Its sound has been infiltrating the hearts and ears Americans, and at the forefront of the campaign is Davido.

In 2018, his single “Fall” hit the Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as one of the longest trending Afrobeats, ever. In the US, “Fall” was the most Shazamed.

Taking cultural Southern influences from his time living in Atlanta and attending Alabama HBCU Oakwood University in combination with his Nigerian roots, the artist, born David Adedeji Adeleke, has been able to achieve a level mainstream success with his music that not only keeps everyone worldwide dancing but also connects Black people across the diaspora.

This, especially in America, where the mainstream media paints an entirely different picture of the continent. Lately, more young Black Americans are interested in embracing the abundance of Africa in part due to the thriving music scene in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. As the stereotypes of Africa continue to shatter over time, in November, Ghana’s Year Of The Return campaign granted citizenship to over 100 Black Americans, Afrochella continues to grow in popularity, and even Ludacris recently bragged about becoming a citizen of Gabon, signaling the establishment of Accra and Lagos as destination hot spots.

Speaking to Uproxx about his album A Good Time, Davido explored his connection to the American South and Nigeria and explains how it essentially influenced the whole of A Good Time.

You’ve been releasing music from this project since 2017. It seems like you usually take long breaks in between albums — what took so long for you to finally release A Good Time?

I do take breaks from the album, but I didn’t take breaks on releasing music. If I do a song today if I love it, I’m dropping it tomorrow. That type of sh*t. But since I got signed, things are kind of different. There’ll always be singles in between but I never really had time to sit down and be like, “Yo, I want to put all these songs in a body of work.”

After the first album, I was just dropping singles and just going with the flow. Then, coming to America the thing was that… Being in America, and when Afrobeats and African music progressed to America, I felt like I need to put it in a body of work because Americans was like, “Yo I like that song, I like that song. I like that song. Yo, where’s his album?” That’s really why I put the first three songs that people worldwide knew on that album so they can use that avenue to listen to the other set of songs.

Tell me about growing up in Nigeria and then living in Atlanta and Alabama while going to an HBCU.

It’s different. Back then my mom went to a university in Atlanta, but she’s Nigerian — like fully, full-blown Nigerian. Atlanta was the first place my dad came to in America when he came from Nigeria. Atlanta has always been kind of a base for the family, but fully Nigerian. Yes, I do have an American passport, but I’m fully Nigerian. I never really fully straight-up lived in America. It was always I come for six months, stay with mom, go back, stay. I didn’t really move to America fully until I was about 14.

My experience in Nigeria mostly shaped my music and then my experience in America helped me bridge the gap because I know how people think in Nigeria and I know how people think in America. I understand how sometimes, some people can be ignorant to the fact of being African because I was there. I went to school in Alabama with basically no Africans there. I understood back then when people were asking me like, “Are you from Africa? You live in Africa?” Like, “Why you got a Rolex though?” But I understood. Some people would take the offensive but I understood because when I was in America they’re never taught that.

Right, and the first song on A Good Time is “Intro” and you have a line where you say “New broom going to sweep better…”

[Singing] “Them tori us propaganda / From January to December / Mi ogba dun NEPA / So all of our youths wan’ go America”

How do you feel to know that you’re part of Black Americans waking up to the truth about Africa and disrupting that reality that American media has built up and then probably vice versa, too?

First of all, I think back in the days, if you ask me, the media outlets didn’t do that much of a good job. These days, you have social media and you might have a friend that’s never been to Africa, right? I invite you like, “Yo come out to Africa, experience it.” You’re getting on Snapchat, you’re getting on Instagram and [they’re] like, “Yo, where’s that?” You’re like, “Africa.” But back in the day, the only way you can see Africa is on TV or the news or magazines. It’s always been a beautiful country. Every space, every environment has a rough part and a better.

In America, too.

Yeah. Even in America. I see some places in America, they look way worse than Nigeria. With social media and with the world being more awake and aware of things and people wanting to know where they’re really from, the most important thing I always say is people going to the continent themselves. Forget the videos they send you or your friend sends you. People have actually started going there. Artists are going there and people are getting booked for shows out there.

When Lil Baby came to Nigeria, he was with me the whole time. When he got there, he was confused. I picked him up in my Bentley truck, took him, drove him around, took him to where the rich people stay at, took him to where the poor people stay at, took him on a yacht, took him to the island, boathouse, all of that. He wanted to actually send me some money to invest in an apartment because he was like, damn, these people didn’t explain like, “Oh this is really what Africa is like.” Media puts out like dirt roads. They don’t show like the skyscrapers. I’ll show you my house. It’s crazy. The market is growing, they even do an Afrochella.

If you could compare it to any city in America…

You can’t, you can’t.

Experiencing it is the best key. But lately, I’m happy the narrative of Africa is changing. Because, first of all, entertainment and music, five years ago, you actually were like, “What do you think about Africa?” And like, “Oh.” Right now, like, “Yo, what do you think about Africa? Like, “Yo, I love the music. I love the food.” If you think about it, everybody got an African friend. Everybody. I don’t care who you are, you got an African friend.

What does it mean for you growing up in Nigeria and coming here and being a huge star?

First of all, let me tell you what it means for me. Me growing up here, I used to have a group in Atlanta with my cousins and I remember walking up to a car in the f*cking gas station in Atlanta, freestyling like “Yo,” I was trying to blow a hit and it’s crazy. I went home to blow and it kind of connected me to come out back here. So if I never went home, probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you.

I also want to talk about “D&G” featuring Summer Walker because I noticed most of the producers on the project are Nigerian and London On Da Track is the only non-Nigerian or non-African one. What made you make that exception?

Well, funny enough, I did the song, I was like, “Yo, Summer Walker. Crazy.” Everybody was like, “You’re not getting Summer Walker.” I was like, “What do you mean?” Fuck dreaming. I believe in you go for what you want and being confident in yourself. So I was hitting different people up like, “Yo, I got this song.” I even hit the label up, her label, one of the dudes that works with her. But I was just like, “You know what? I’m going to just hit London up.” I was drunk one day after the club and was like, “You know what? Yo, bro. I got this song, I want you to hear it.” Sent it. He was like, “She loves it.” They sent me the verse the next day.

Love it.

The next day. Literally my favorite song and we’re shooting the video soon.

Summer’s going to be in it?

Of course. Got to do it right.

Being an Afrobeats star and considering Fela Kuti’s legacy, what social issues are you passionate about?

Everybody knows I’m passionate about politics. We don’t have the best leaders. I just told you about the awareness of Africa of the people over here but the internet is really exposing a lot of things. That’s when we go hard because we don’t have the best leaders. I feel like, over time, things will get better. People are getting younger, people are getting wiser, people are getting more woke. Women are getting stronger. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be a woman president in Nigeria.

Has there ever been? Or is it like America where it’s been all men?

It’s all been men. But it’s going to happen. Might be my wife.

A Good Time is out now via Davido Worldwide Entertainment. Get it here.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/davido-interview-a-good-time/feed/0402330770All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-march-09/
https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-march-09/#respondMon, 09 Mar 2020 15:10:22 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402326698

Getty Image / Unsplash
All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of March 9.

Wednesday, March 11

Tame Impala shared The Slow Rush on Valentine’s Day with dreamy cuts such as “One More Hour” and “Breathe Deeper.” The indie rock band’s song “Same Ol’ Mistakes” was inspiring enough for Rihanna to cover on her album Anti and Kevin Parker’s psychedelic experiment continues to cross over into mainstream acclaim.

Saturday, March 15

The Strokes made their return to the stage summer of 2019 at Bilbao BBK Live in Spain and now they are making their way to Los Angeles, this week. The prominent band will also be bringing King Princess along as the evening’s opener.

Sunday, March 16

Trippie Redd‘s A Love Letter to You 4 hit the Billboard charts as his first No. 1 album last year and this year he unleashed a stacked deluxe version of the project with eight more tracks. With songs like “YELL OH” featuring Young Thug and “The Way” with Russ, Trippie’s Los Angeles show should be a movie.

The road to becoming a superstar musician can be a tough one, especially if you’re on the independent music grind. In Houston, former pro baseball player Carl Crawford attempted to change that for the city when he launched his indie label 1501 Certified Entertainment to help the city’s tricky music scene — and just so happened to catapult the career of Megan Thee Stallion to mainstream heights. It happened faster than anyone could process.

Now, he’s being sued by the Fever artist to get out of her contract after she took to Instagram this week to claim that the label was blocking the release of her debut studio album, Suga, which is slated to drop March 6. She describes the terms of her contract with 1501 as “greedy” because 1501 gets a greater slice of the profit pie, as well as a percentage of her show money. The main issue is with the 60/40 split, where 1501 gets 60 percent of profits and she gets 40 percent. She also signed a four-album deal.

Whether or not the deal is “bad” is subjective, but clearly Megan wants out and her #FREETHEESTALLION campaign is in full effect. She signed a deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to represent her and manage her career and the company’s lawyers immediately went to Crawford demanding a contract renegotiation, but he refuses to bend and is asking Jay-Z to pull up recording contracts of the artists they have previously signed for comparison. Crawford alleges that he’s spent over $1.5 million on Megan’s career and says he has the receipts to prove it.

Acknowledging he doesn’t know much about the music industry, Crawford left Megan’s career in the hands of his childhood friend T. Farris, who took the burgeoning rap star to Roc Nation and left him out the deal. (T. Farris reportedly did something similar while at Houston’s iconic indie rap label Swishahouse.)

I got the chance to speak with Crawford at his Houston estate about the situation and the 5th Ward native dives into the intricacies of Megan’s recording contract and if they can ever reconcile.

What made you jump from baseball to music?

You know, just being from Houston, it was something that I wanted to be a part of. Getting out of baseball, I had to find a way to get reacquainted. I like the music culture here in Houston because we have such a rich tradition.

How long have you been doing music now?

Since 2016. Really, 2017, that’s when we really got going. So about three years now.

It seems like you got J. Prince on your side; what have you learned from him about the music industry?

Right now, he’s just teaching me patience. I tend to want to lash out. I believe in swift justice. He’s the opposite. I’m just learning how to move at a certain pace and not just react to everything.

I want to talk about what happened when Megan came out with her statement about her contract. What I want to know just from your side is how did you feel when you first found out that she and T. Farris went over to Roc Nation?

With T. Farris, this was a guy I moved into my home — what was mine was his. I took him in off the street, he was basically homeless. Nobody wanted to fuck with him around here in Houston, Texas. He was out of there, but I knew him from when we was young and I just wanted to take it upon myself to try to help somebody that I felt deserved to be in a certain position. I didn’t know why the city of Houston wasn’t fucking with him like that. I just thought n*ggas was hating.

He just played me so good. He hit me with all the little slick tricks that you do in the music business to somebody that don’t know what’s going on. I befriended him and I trusted him with too much. This is what happens when you let somebody else run your business, so at the end of the day, I have myself to blame. But, I still didn’t deserve for him to cross me like he did.

Was it discussed beforehand that she would visit with them? Would you have gone if they asked?

Yeah. I said man, what’s up, you all going to Roc Nation? I said what you all doing over there? He was like, “I think he’s going to show us around the building.” I was like, all right. I said do I need to be there? He was like, “Nah.” So I was like dang, you know? Next thing you know, I’m seeing she’s signed to Roc Nation. I was just like, what happened? People say, she didn’t have to tell me, and they’re right. That is her business but at that time, we was all cool. I don’t know why they had to do something like that.

Not only did you go to Roc Nation, this negotiation thing that she claims that she tried to do… Man, well, her definition of negotiation is different from mine. Her lawyer came in talking about what I better do. Her idea of renegotiation wasn’t to renegotiate, it was to get me out of the deal completely. This is why I got so upset. They don’t want to say that part. They want to make it look like I’m the disgruntled person. No, they tried to cut me out the deal all the way.

Were they offering you money to do this?

Nothing, no. They were like “we’re going to do this.”

There wasn’t a buy-out option?

It was nothing. Like this was whatever, for percentages to go down. It was like a stick-up.

This is Roc Nation lawyers?

I don’t know whose lawyer… if it was Megan’s lawyer. Whoever she was, I don’t know. But she came in like that, so who can renegotiate under those terms? Of course, I don’t want to go through this stuff with Megan. If you don’t want to be here, go. We do it the right way. Y’all ain’t finna come take everything I’ve got and worked so hard for. She said I didn’t do anything, but everybody here in Houston knows that’s a lie.

Was Roc Nation always trying to sign her?

Roc Nation ain’t come around until we got it hot. We didn’t have no problem and everything was fine until she went to Roc Nation. Now, all of a sudden, Roc Nation comes over and introduces you to Beyoncé and a few more celebrities and now they got the answers to everything. It’s the standard practice. Megan fell for the oldest trick in the book. The divide and conquer theme. It’s the oldest trick. Divide everybody up, conquer. Move on.

Would you be open to getting back in cool with her and making it work?

She just was so disrespectful that it’s like I really just want to get what’s mine and move on. What’s the big deal? You’re doing your shows. You’re getting your money. Why you can’t pay me mine? We haven’t got no money yet, I don’t know what they’re talking about, I’m “greedy.” Shit, we ain’t got paid none yet. She said I didn’t do nothing, but I got all my receipts. We got all the receipts, so she can say all that she wants.

Well, the thing is she hasn’t paid us one dime since she went to Roc Nation. Since, actually, August. We’ve been trying to figure out what’s the issue with this, what’s going on, but this is another tactic that they use when they want to get something from you. They hold your money so you bow down to their demands. Well, of course, I’m not going to take that too lightly. So, here we are.

They want to make it look like she got this terrible deal. I challenge any label with their superstars, from Jay Z, Beyonce, whoever…I challenge them to pull out their first contract that they had in the music business. Put it up to the one Megan got. She got 40 percent of her masters. Nobody gets that. We gave her part of her own masters out the gate. Nobody gets none of their masters out the gate. Jay Z and Beyonce didn’t get masters out of their gate. She gets all this in her contract already.

That’s the only reason why our percentage is what it was. I guarantee you if you’d have signed with Roc Nation first, you would have got none of this what you got right now. You would have had no masters, no percentage where it would be 40 percent. It probably would’ve been at something like 12 percent. You finna eat so good off this and your mother did it. You did know that contract. We signed it twice. You did it with us and 300 [Entertainment]. You know how to read, you went to college. Your momma was right there and a lawyer. She just a liar.

Have you talked to Jay-Z or anyone on that side?

No, man, because I don’t respect this “Black power, trying to help Black people” sh*t. We look up to this man…Jay-Z as a person, as a Black man, we all look up to him. This is how you meet him for the first time. This is your introduction to Jay-Z — him trying to take something from me. So all that sh*t is fake to me. You ain’t trying to help, you’re trying to help certain n*ggas.

Besides all that, K’ona Lisa seems like she’s on her grind and her music is good. What type of artist does 1501 support? What are you all looking for?

We just looking for people that have big dreams to come out of Houston. That’s why I made it — for Houston, Texas.

And what made you sign K’ona Lisa? She said you found her on Instagram.

I found her on Instagram, the same way I found Megan. I heard her doing her freestyle and I asked a few of my friends what they thought and everybody was good on it, so we went ahead and signed her. I watched her for a good three to four months, just kind of monitored it, checking it here and seeing how she was coming along. When I felt the time was right, I went ahead and swept through.

Are there other artists you’re doing that with right now that they don’t even know?

Yeah, all the time. They don’t even know. That’s where I find everything. I just might not hit the accept buttons so you can’t see. I do watch. That’s where I find everybody.

Are all the artists Houston besides K’ona?

K’ona’s the only one. It’s just that the Megan thing put such a sour taste in my mouth, I just went outside the city one time just to kind of do something different. But the goal is for 1501 to be for artists from Houston. D-Raww’s from Houston. I heard there was a lot of suppressed talent in the city before I came so this was the perfect time to do it if you can pull it off, and I was like “cool.” I invested, bought studios, did everything that I knew that people needed to be successful here in Houston and not have to go out of town. It worked.

I used to live in Houston so I know that it’s hard for artists in the H to make it to that level unless they leave. Besides that, it’s kind of hard, so you’re saying your whole mission is to kind of help open that floodgate?

That’s the sad thing about the Megan Thee Stallion situation. Now you close the doors on the whole city. We did all that work so we could open those doors to bring in more people. This wasn’t just for you. They got so selfish, they closed the doors. Man, when you did this to me, you pretty much closed the door on the city. In a way where… I mean, I can’t say they can’t come back, but we’re going to have to work all over again to accomplish what we just spent so hard trying to do.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/carl-crawford-interview-megan-thee-stallion-roc-nation-jay-z/feed/0402322498All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-march-2/
https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-march-2/#respondMon, 02 Mar 2020 15:30:00 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402317547

Getty Image / Unsplash
All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of March 2.

Tuesday, March 3

Rapsody‘s A Black Woman Created This tour lands in Los Angeles this week. The Grammy Award-nominated artist released her powerful album Eve last year and it was ranked No. 9 on Uproxx’s Best Albums of 2019 list.

Former choir student turned aggressive emo rapper Jasiah is gearing up for his debut project and as the “Crisis” musician continues to gain steam, he lands in LA this week to rock the stage with $not. Expect transformational performances of tracks such as “Heartbreaker” featuring Travis Barker and “Shenanigans.”

Friday, March 6

Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher and Westside Gunn unleashed their collaborative effort WWCD late last year and now the Griselda team is on tour in support of the project. Here’s a chance to catch some kids from Buffalo perform joints like “Dr. Birds” and “Cruiser Weight Coke.”

Afrobeats star DaVido had a huge 2019 with his megahit “Fall,” which is currently the longest-running Afrobeats single in Billboard history. The Nigerian star is expected to hit Los Angeles for his A Good Time tour in support of the album this week.

Mad Decent-signed DJ NGHTMRE is known for his trap-infused EDM mixes with the likes of Rae Sremmurd and Gunna. In February, he unleashed his song “Wrist” with Tory Lanez with many more collabs to come.

Saturday, March 7

It’s been three years since Thundercat released his album Drunk and now the talented bass guitarist is readying for the release of his next project,It Is What It Is. Thundercat has already given fans a taste of what’s to come with his latest jingle “Dragonball Durag.”

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-march-2/feed/0402317547Key Glock Is Really Into Himself And Here’s Why You Should Be Toohttps://uproxx.com/music/key-glock-yellow-tape-interview/
https://uproxx.com/music/key-glock-yellow-tape-interview/#respondWed, 26 Feb 2020 16:59:53 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402300087

Loaded with sixteen unmarred tracks, the burgeoning South Memphis rapper chronicles street tales over Bandplay’s brooding and eerie production in the spirit of Three 6 Mafia. He’s a young man having things and he raps about how he got those things in a way that is mildly cocky and extremely motivating.

The indie project landed at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart just three years after his debut mixtape under Paper Route EMPIRE, Glock Season was released after signing to Young Dolph. Last year, Dolph and Glock connected for their collaborative album Dum And Dummer, which hit No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart and gave the burgeoning rap star his first chart-topping hit with “Major” on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Now, on Yellow Tape, Glock shines as himself. It’s validation that he is deliberate with his craft and he’s only getting better. The Paper Route EMPIRE artist entered the game gimmick-free and instead prefers to floss luxury drip and iced-out chains while narrating stories about his life of trouble while growing up in Memphis.

After pressing play on Yellow Tape, it’s easy to fall for Glock’s hotshot charm. Key Glock has a growing nation of fans and is clearly Paper Route EMPIRE’s defining star. During a sitdown conversation with Uproxx, Key Glock shares insight on his music style and how signing to Young Dolph’s PRE label helped to keep him out the streets.

It seems Three 6 Mafia has had a huge impact on your rap style. I hear, “If You Ain’t From My Hood” and “Gorilla Pimp” by Project Pat were two songs that changed your life. Why?

Because they was some of the only music I knew coming up in Memphis. And it just stuck with me as I grew up.

Why those two songs specifically though?

It’s something about Project Pat. His aggressiveness. What he was talking about I relate right to it.

So more like the energy?

Yeah, for sure.

I know Young Dolph is your cousin by marriage. You guys do a lot of dope music together. How long did you guys know each other before rapping or did you guys know each other after?

We knew each other all our life. We’re like 10 years apart but we didn’t just hang with each other as much. We were both doing our own thing.

When did you first tell him you want to rap or sign?

I didn’t even tell him.

You didn’t?

Yeah, he didn’t even really know I was rapping. I ain’t never even tell him. It was just something I was trying to do on my own. I just pulled it together.

When did he find out?

I had got locked up my senior year.

Of high school?

Yeah. My auntie who is married to his uncle, she had let him know I was going down a whole nother path and she wanted him to talk to me. He hollered at me and told me that he been hearing that I was back rapping and we just took it from there.

I know your mom did time, you did time, and sometimes she’d be out, and you’d be in and visa versa. What would you say was your survival method up until now because you’re still pretty young, you’re 22 right?

Right. Her really. Her and my grandma, they’re my motivation. They’re the reason I go so hard. They’re the reason I act the way I act.

I noticed that you barely have any features like J. Cole, and none on Yellow Tape. If you could feature with anybody besides Dolph, who would you do a collab tape with?

I feel it. Your music is very braggadocious and you’re always rapping about money, chains, cars and all of that. What is your earliest memory of the first time you touched the biggest amount of money you had ever received and what did you do with it?

Big amount of money… What do you mean a big amount of money?

Maybe your first $10,000 or your first $100,000?

My first $10,000 I wasn’t even rapping. It didn’t even come from that.

Okay! When you got it how did you feel, though?

I feel like it was $100,000. I was like shit only 16 or 17 years old.

16? Damn. On the song “Biig Boyy,” which is my favorite, you have a line that says “I keep on buying ice, ain’t got no chill.” Tell me what’s the craziest piece of jewelry you ever purchased and how much was it?

Probably two things, my baguette grill — my permanent grill — I had. I got a one of one Audemars [Piguet] skeleton with all baguettes that was like $300,000.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/key-glock-yellow-tape-interview/feed/0402300087All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-24/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of February 24.

Wednesday, February 26

In 2014, EDM duo Hippie Sabotage made a dent in the music atmosphere with the remix to Tove Lo‘s mega hit “Habits (Stay High).” Their own discography sounds just as good and it’s filled with their signature airy, yet electrifying trap-inspired production. Hippie Sabotage’s “The Beautiful Beyond” trek has been a mostly sold-out affair and their shows are usually packed-filled with pulsating energy.

Friday, February 28

Tove Lo is the Swedish pop singer with a sweetly addictive voice. On Valentine’s Day, she joined Sean Paul on the track “Calling Me” and last month, Tove shared the visual for her Sunshine Kitty single “Are U gonna tell her?” The singer lands in Los Angeles this week to perform her latest and past hits such as “Habits” and “Cool Girl.”

West Coast rap group SOB X RBE released their third full-length project Strictly Only Brothers in December with such as “Pass The Mic” and “Ain’t Got Time.” Here’s the chance to catch the Vallejo natives live.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-24/feed/0402308535All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-17/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of February 17.

Tuesday, February 18

19-year-old Tones And I is making chart history with her viral hit “Dance Monkey,” off her debut EP The Kids Are Coming. The song is multi-platinum in her home country of Australia and is slowly making its way to infiltrate the States.

Thursday, February 19

Tory Lanez released his early 2000s R&B favorite-filled project Chixtape 5 last fall, including the track “Jerry Sprunger” featuring T-Pain. He’s currently touring the nation in support of the project with performances of well-known cuts such as “Say It” and “Talk To Me,” and he touches down in Los Angeles this week.

Iann Dior is rap’s latest rising star and his music continues to garner millions of streams across all platforms. Known for tracks such as “Emotions” and “Gone Girl” with Trippie Redd, here’s the chance to catch him live right before he blows.

Friday, February 20

YouTube personality Poppy released her third studio album, I Disagree, in January which made its debut at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Top Hard Rock Albums chart. With tracks such as “Concrete” and “Anything Like Me,” this isn’t a show to be missed.

Saturday, February 21

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Bbno$ @ El Rey Theater [Tickets]

Bbno$’s “Lalala” blew up on TikTik and nothing has ever been the same for the Canadian rapper. On Valentine’s Day, he released Baby Gravy 2 with Yung Gravy and he is coming to Los Angeles this week for a live performance.

Kalan.FrFr @ The Novo [Tickets]

Los Angeles’ own Kalan.FrFr had the streets turned up in 2018 with “Fine Ass” and he’s still going strong. With two projects under his belt, TwoFr and Hurt, the sky is the limit for the West Coast rapper.

Sunday, February 22

Chicago star Lucki lands in Los Angeles this weekend and is slated to perform tracks off his latest project Days B4 III. From lo-fi tracks “Geeked” to “2 Of You,” Lucki’s style is one that should be witnessed live.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-17/feed/0402298958All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-10/
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Here are all the best concerts coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of February 10.

Tuesday, February 11

Young Dolph and Key Glock are the Memphis rap duo we can’t get enough of. Their 2019 release Dum And Dummer contained hits such as “Water On Water On Water” and “Back To Back.” Dolph and Glock land in Los Angeles this week to put on a dope performance.

Thursday, February 12

Tayla Parx is the talented rising singer-songwriter known for penning 2019 Billboard hits “Love Lies” by Khalid and Normani as well as “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande. Her debut album We Need To Talk was released last year, which features standout tracks “I Want You” and “Read Your Mind.”

California rapper Phora delivered his album Bury Me With Dead Roses last summer and his tour is still going strong. The former tattoo artist is currently making waves with songs such as “The Dream” and “Forgive Me.”

Friday, February 13

Valentine’s Day marks the 20th anniversary of Nelly’s Diamond-certified Country Grammar and he will be performing it in its entirety at The Novo in Los Angeles this week. From the album’s lead single “Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)” to “E.I.,” Nelly’s impact on the 2000s hip-hop culture and beyond illustrates how much of a trailblazer the Grammy Award-winning performer is.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-10/feed/0402292003All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-03/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of February 3.

Thursday, February 6

R&B singer Xavier Omär has been pushing out new music lately and recently kicked off his Hot Javi Tour back in November, following the release of his track “Theif.” R&B acts Kyle Dion, Elhae, Parisalexa, and Baby Rose are slated to join him during his North American trek.

Friday, February 7

Bronx rap star Lil Tjay’s major hit “Pop Out” with Polo G landed at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and he’s only 18-years-old. The burgeoning artist got a buzz off SoundCloud with tracks such as “Brothers” and “Leaked” and now he’s entering 2020 with a show at The Novo.

Sunday, February 9

Young Dolph and Key Glock are the Memphis rap duo we can’t get enough of. Their 2019 release Dum and Dummer contained hits such as “Water On Water On Water” and “Back To Back.” Dolph and Glock land in Los Angeles this week to put on a dope performance.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-february-03/feed/0402282785All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-27/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of January 27.

Wednesday, January 29

Grammy Award-nominated artist Wale took over airwaves with his R&B-tinged track “On Chill” featuring Jeremih last summer and released his sixth studio album Wow…That’s Crazy in the fall. The talented rapper-musician is known for his passionate soulful performances and he lands in Los Angeles this week for performances of his hits such as “Lotus Flowerbomb” and “Bad” featuring Rihanna.

Los Angeles-based rock band Ian Sweet, led by Jilian Medford, unleashed their sophomore album Crush Crusher in 2018 toting tracks like “Spit” and “Holographic Jesus.” Now, it’s just Jilian and that’s okay because she is an artist definitely worth checking out live.

Friday, January 31

Rapper RJ and O.T Genesis are putting on for the city, this week. Last year, Mr. LA shined with his indie debut filled with bangers, On God and O.T. Genasis memorably remixed Keyshia Cole’s “Love” into a Crip anthem. These two sharing the stage at The Novo should be nothing less than a West Coast function.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-27/feed/0402277731All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-20/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of January 20.

Monday, January 20

In support of LA Reform Jails, Grammy Award-winning rock band Coldplay is playing a show in Los Angeles and Compton’s own Boogie will also be there in support of the city. Coldplay’s album Everyday Life was released in November and landed on the Billboard 200 chart at No. 7.

Wednesday, January 22

Atlanta hip-hop duo Earthgang released their Dreamville debut Mirrorland in November with tracks like “Up” and “Proud Of You” featuring Young Thug on the bill. Olu and WowGr8 are simply some of Dreamville’s best with some even comparing them to Outkast and here’s the opportunity to catch their essence live.

Brandi Carlile boasts four Grammy nominations at this week’s 62nd Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album for production on Tanya Tucker’s While I’m Living and Song Of The Year for “Bring My Flowers Now.” Here’s an opportunity to catch the talented recording artist live.

Friday, January 24

Brooklyn singer King Princess‘ debut studio album Cheap Queen was named as one of Uproxx’s The 35 Best Pop Albums of 2019 at No. 9 and was also ranked at No. 30 on The Best Albums of 2019 list. With tracks like “Prophet” and “1950,” King Princess has been taking over festival stages across the country from Coachella to Lollapalooza.

Wyclef Jean released his ninth album Wyclef Goes Back To School Volume 1 last year and is currently on tour. The award-winning musician has plenty of hits under his belts such as hits like “Ready Or Not” with the Fugees and “911” with Mary J. Blige.

Scarface is a Houston legend and he’s landing at The Miracle Theater, this week. The rapper, also known as a member of the Geto Boys, carries hits such as 1997s “Smile” featuring Tupac off The Untouchable and 2000s The Last Of A Dying Breed cut “Look Me in My Eyes.”

Sunday, January 26

Jacquees is currently on his King of R&B Tour in support of his Billboard-chart topping album toting the same name. The project contains R&B slow jams such as “Verify” with Gunna and Young Thug and “Your Peace” featuring Lil Baby.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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"Modus Vivendi" lives on another planet, but there is hope for understanding in 070 Shake's tone of delivery.]]>

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070 Shake is really ahead of her time with Modus Vivendi and that’s probably on purpose. Its sound and execution live on another planet, somewhere far away from here — but there is hope for understanding in the New Jersey native’s tone of delivery.

Coming off outstanding guest appearances on Kanye West’s Ye cuts “Ghost Town” and “Violent Crimes,” a Pusha T Daytona feature, as well as an appearance on Nas’ Nasir in 2018, there have been great expectations for the 22-year-old. 2018 was also the year she delivered her GOOD Music debut EP Glitter and in 2019, she performed at Coachella.

Though it’s said Shake is a hip-hop artist, it’s best to not box her into any particular category to truly understand what type of artist she is, as she really shows off her range freely on Modus Vivendi. The album’s title means “way of life” in Latin and this seems to be Shake’s attempt to show the world a different musical perspective, one that might become the status quo of a genreless future.

There is joy in listening to the thrilling highs and lows of every track. “Morrow” is Modus Vivendi’s ’80s pop-synth trip starter, while “Rocketship” asserts that this might be a good trip. “Under The Moon” is upbeat and enchants while the words she sings are affirmations of the thing she wants most — to get high. While on Shake’s journey, it is “Rocketship” and “Guilty Conscious” that stand out the most. “Rocketship” satisfies a taste for trap and “Guilty Conscious” is a loving R&B song. It’s very easy to get sucked into the essence of both before being reminded that 070 Shake is the captain and the journey is in her hands.

Each song oscillates between highs and lows, such as the transition from “Rocketship” to the addictively mellow “Divorce,” which offers a timely break before Shake takes the listener to the grungiest part of Modus Vivendi, the bleak “The Pines.” The placement of “Guilty Consciousness,” after “The Pines,” again, brings the listener to a more contemplative moment before bringing them up again, but not so low that it kills the mood and momentum completely.

Though “Nice To Have” presents a rare superfluous moment on the record, by the time Modus Vivendi’s reaches its destination with “Terminal B” and “Flight319,” the lasting impression is that Shake could occupy this space indefinitely. Overall, 070 Shake leaves plenty of room to grow and her sound can go anywhere as Modus Vivendi is unapologetic and chaotically smooth. This project is wholly Kid Cudi-inspired somewhere between Ye’s 808s And Heartbreaks and Yeezus, only with her unique spin. Try not to label Shake because as she convincingly professes on “Flight319,” for those who stuck around until the end, she’s “gone like an astronaut.”

Modus Vivendi is out now on Getting Out Our Dreams/Def Jam. Get it here.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/070-shake-modus-vivendi-review/feed/0402265732All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-13/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of January 13.

Thursday, January 16

Alt-rock band The Grahams’ Kids Like Us is slated for a spring release and ahead of the project dropping, the loving musical duo lands in Los Angeles for a special performance at The Hotel Cafe. Catch Alyssa and Doug Graham perform tracks such as “Painted Desert,” “Don’t Give Your Heart Away,” and “Bite My Tongue.”

Friday, January 17

Trey Anastasio’s side project Trey Anastasio Band made its debut in 1998 and has been touring ever since. Last week, they kicked off their 2020 trek in Chester, New York and will land in Los Angeles this week.

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ Hollywood Forever [Tickets]

Texas band …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead is gearing up for the release of their LP X: The Godless Void & Other Stories as they enter their 25th year together. The band is kicking off their North American tour in Los Angeles. Last year, they were on the 20th-anniversary tour of 1999’s Madonna and also released their songs “Into The Godless Void” and “Don’t Look Down.”

Saturday, January 18

A year later and Ski Mask The Slump God’sStokely has enough greatness stored in it that the Florida star is still touring off the strength off its tracks such as “Faucet Failure” and “Nuketown” featuring the late Juice WRLD. It also helps is catalogue is robust with headbangers such as “Catch Me Outside” and “Babywipe!”

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-13/feed/0402259169All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-6/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of January 6.

Thursday, January 9

From “Used To Love You Sober” to “Lose It,” which one Male Video of the Year at the Country Music Awards, Kane Brown has proven to be one of Nashville’s greatest. Though his second studio album Experiment was released in 2018, the 26-year-old is still traveling the nation performing to massive crowds and this week he makes a stop in Los Angeles.

Saturday, January 11

Before 2019 came to a close, international DJ Cashmere Cat released his project titled Princess Catgirl with “For Your Eyes Only” and “Emotions” as buzzing singles while reveling in the success of his past remix creation with Tory Lanez and Major Lazer for “With You.” The Norweigan star is known for rocking a crowd and lands in Los Angeles this week to deliver both.

Sunday, January 12

Since reuniting in the 90s, Chicago rock band Styx has been touring the world to perform some of their biggest hits such as “Lady” and “Mr. Roboto.” This week, they’re set to give nostalgic fans an electrifying show in Los Angeles.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-january-6/feed/0402252352All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-31/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of December 30.

Tuesday, December 31

Megan Thee Stallion completely took over 2019 with her Hot Girl Summer movement and she’s keeping the momentum going with a New Year’s Eve performance in Los Angeles. The Houston Hottie released her debut EP Fever earlier this year, boasting hits such as “Big Ole Freak” and the DaBaby-assisted single “Cash Sh*t.”

Indie rock band Guided By Voices is doing a short 5-city circuit going into the new year and their Los Angeles NYE show is already sold out. This year alone, the band unleashed three projects, Zeppelin Over China, Warp And Woof, and October’s release Sweating the Plague.

Electronic mastermind George Clanton, formerly known as Mirror Kisses, is kicking off New Years in Los Angeles. His synth-pop essence is sure to usher in 2020 with gracious and nostalgic vibes.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-31/feed/0402246710All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-23/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of December 23.

Friday, December 27

Dead & Company may not have a full-length studio album out yet, but that’s not stopping former Grateful Dead member’s Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir along with bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and musician John Mayer from putting on packed out tours since 2015. This weekend, the band is booked back-to-back shows at the Los Angeles Forum.

Saturday, December 28

Compton’s Roddy Ricch is now a Grammy Award-nominated rap star for his work with the late Nipsey Hussle on “Racks In The Middle” and Mustard’s “Ballin.'” His debut project Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial was released this month and its track “The Box” is already a viral sensation.

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The late Chicago rapper's physical presence was missed but his impact was felt throughout the revamped festival.]]>

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Rolling Loud hit a little differently this year. The air was different. The way we moved about the festival grounds was different.

Less than a week before the touring hip-hop festival was slated to hit Los Angeles’ Banc Of California Stadium for the second year in a row, the unfortunate news that co-headliner Juice WRLD had died after suffering a seizure in Chicago’s Midway Airport. He was only 21 years old and the news shook the music industry. The Rolling Loud veteran’s Saturday set was changed to a Sunday tribute in celebration of his life and everywhere I looked his presence was there. From the artwork on the walls to fans rocking their favorite Juice WRLD tees and performers dedicating portions of their sets to the “Lucid Dreams” rapper, Jarad Anthony Higgins owned Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2019.

Day one of the two-day festival, like most first days of a festival, had some minor kinks to get through until the perfect groove was found for Sunday. The signs directing where the Zen Stage, Verizon Stage, and the High Hemp Stage were very helpful. There was plenty of ground space to walk around and I could even dance a little bit while walking to catch as many sets as I could including Young Dolph, Blueface, Mozzy, Trippie Redd, Dom Kennedy, Chance The Rapper, and Young Thug. Lil Uzi Vert, who was set to perform earlier in the night, wound up closing the first night due to flight delays (an expected occurrence for Uzi at this point) and had the entire stadium doing the Futsal Shuffle as fireworks went off in the sky.

By Sunday, I could navigate the festival grounds like a pro. Sunday’s lineup included NLE Choppa, Key Glock, Lil Keed, Chief Keef, Gunna, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, YG, Playboi Carti, A$AP Rocky, and Future as my top picks. Meek Mill was scheduled to perform but was replaced by The Game.

Seeing the growth of Megan Thee Stallion’s stage presence since the beginning of this year was incredible. The Houston Hottie made the most of her set by actually performing instead of just talking to the crowd as a way to run up her stage time. DaBaby’s stage presence, while it has always been energetic, seems to have improved as well since he isn’t running out of breath as quickly and had the capability to keep up with his own songs instead of just letting the crowd sing his songs for him. Usually, his inflated babies serve as great distractions from this, but at Rolling Loud, DaBaby himself was the lead. It was dope to see two of 2019’s most prominent hip-hop acts grow into their own, especially knowing that this is only the beginning.

Future’s set, which I happen to know by heart, changed up a bit too. Usually, when he does “F*ck Up Some Commas,” he brings out his dancers Meechie and Toosie for a dance break — and that’s as much dancing as we get out of a Future set. This time around, as Super Future began to perform “Sh*t,” a lineup of female dancers emerged. The ladies did their thing, seductively dancing to “Low Life” and “Relationships.” Future also took the time time to honor Juice WRLD. The two previously collaborated on the 2018 project WRLD On Drugs and since news of his passing Future had been mostly silent.

“Put your lighters up right now we about to turn up,” he commanded the crowd as their song “Fine China” began to play. “We about to sing this for Juice.” Future’s voice nearly cracked as the song went on, highlighting how emotional the moment was for him and the audience.

The Juice WRLD tribute on the High Hemp Stage was an emotional and celebratory event in itself. It seemed the entire festival came out to remember the young rap star’s life. His DJ introduced everyone he knew and worked with to the stage including G Herbo, YBN Cordae, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett. The most heartbreaking part of the tribute was watching Juice’s girlfriend Ally Lotti bravely come out on stage and share a positive message with his fans.

“Jarad loved every single person that he helped on this earth,” she said to the sea of 40,000 Juice WRLD fans. “He literally loved every single one of you guys. There was not a time that he showed me a different love than for you. He wants everyone to know to take any negative thing in your life and he would tell you any time he saw you to change that into a positive situation. Change that to 999. You gotta keep that in your heart.”

The tribute ended with the entire crowd singing “Lucid Dreams” in unison, security guards, and festival handlers included, showing just how many lives he touched. Last year, Juice WRLD was one of the fest’s most electrifying performers. This year, Rolling Loud attendees had to pay our respects and say goodbye. The situation reflected the 2018 fest, which was also troubled by the memory of the late XXXTentacion, who had been killed just months before.

Overall, Rolling Loud remains one of the best festivals for hip-hop fans. It understands the culture of the youth and what means the most to us. Security was less aggressive than they were last year and a lot more helpful and despite it being freezing cold, fans, including myself, enjoyed themselves. It makes you wonder how much more fun we would have had with Juice WRLD around to perform, rather than having to once again share a tribute to a star that fell too soon.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/rolling-loud-los-angeles-2019-recap-juice-wrld/feed/0402236140All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-9/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of December 9.

Tuesday, December 10

James Blake’s Assume Form hit No. 1 on the Billboard dance charts, which features the Travis Scott-assisted track “Mile High,” so it’s no wonder Blake was the voice heard on Scott’s award-winning album Astroworld with the track “Stop Trying to Be God.” His mellow-yet-soulful voice will be on full display this week at the Ace Hotel with the accompaniment of a piano.

Wednesday, December 11

Thursday, December 12

Sister duo Ceraadi, made of Saiyr and Emaza, is popular for their viral videos of them dancing and now they’re finally making their way to the stage to perform songs like “Loyal” and “Dumbstruck.” They recently signed to Roc Nation and just released their Ceraadi’s Playlist project.

Friday, December 13

Getty Image

Harry Styles @ The Forum [Sold Out]

Harry Styles‘ Fine Line album is set to drop on December 13, following the release of singles “Adore You” and psychedelic pop-bop “Lights Up.” If you’re in Los Angeles, here is the opportunity to celebrate Fine Line‘s release live at The Forum.

Saturday, December 14

Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas, widely known as Jonas Brothers collectively, delivered their fifth studio album Happiness Begins this year and their first since 2009. Their comeback single, “Sucker,” helped launch the project to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Rolling Loud @ Banc of California Stadium [Sold Out]

Rolling Loud returns to Los Angeles at the Banc of California Stadium featuring Chance The Rapper, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and A$AP Rocky as headliners. Juice Wrld, who is also named on the lineup, passed away on December 8 so the festival will have plenty of tributes dedicated to the late rap star.

Sunday, December 15

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-9/feed/0402219155All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-2/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of December 2.

Wednesday, December 4

Schoolboy Q got that “Water” and “Numb Numb Juice” with his fifth studio album Crash Talk, this year. Both songs were popular on social media and his track “Floating” featuring 21 Savage is among one of the standouts on the project. Q is currently making rounds on his Crash Talk Tour and it lands right in his hometown of Los Angeles with Nav and Kembe X as openers.

Chole and Halle Bailey of Chloe x Halle hit the Billboard charts with The Kids Are Alright a year ago and this year their voices can be heard on the theme song for television hit series Grown-ish, of which they both star, and on the El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie soundtrack with “Enchanted.” The Beyoncé-discovered sisters have been quietly building a name for themselves this year so here’s a chance to catch their angelic voices live right before 2020 — and before The Little Mermaid with Hailey as Ariel hits theaters.

Thursday, December 5

That’s right, Snoop Dogg is still hitting the tour circuit after decades in the rap game and he’s thanking himself with his I Wanna Thank Me Tour. This week, the legendary rap vet’s tour hits none other than his hometown of Los Angeles. Known for classics such as “Gin & Juice,” “Beautiful,” and “Drop It Like Its Hot,” this show should be one for the books.

SAINt JHN is the new sound of rap with his trap-rock infused vibes. Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs is the Brooklyn-bred musician’s sophomore effort and features the Lil Baby-assisted track “Trap” and “Anything Can Happen” with Meek Mill.

Angel Olsen‘s redefining album All Mirrors made its debut on the Billboard 200 charts upon release, featuring the singles “All Mirrors” and “Lark.” Though she recently announced a spring tour for 2020, the opportunity to see her live before then in Los Angeles is here.

Friday, December 6

Saturday, December 7

Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra wrestled with emotions this summer with the release of her second album Ugh, Those Feels Again, which made its way to the Billboard 200 charts. Snoh’s presence in The States was introduced by Drake when he sampled her song “Time” for his 2017 More Life cut “Do Not Disturb,” and the introduction is certainly appreciated.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-december-2/feed/0402209514All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-25/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of November 25.

Monday, November 25

The Queen of Pop, Madonna, is still pushing musical boundaries years after disrupting the music industry with her daring statements with music. The Grammy Award-winning star released her fourteenth studio album titled Madame X this year and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. A chance to catch Madge giving the performance of a lifetime to songs both classic, such as “Like A Prayer” and “Ray Of Light,” and new, such as “Medellín” with Maluma, is here.

Wednesday, November 27

With I’m Him put this summer, multi-platinum artist Kevin Gates‘ first release in three years, his subsequent tour is nearly coming to a close with Los Angeles as one of the final pit stops before he officially wraps his trek in Seattle. Besides I’m Him joints such as “Facts” and “By My Lonely,” expect the Bread Winners Association chief to perform hits like “2 Phones” and “I Don’t Get Tired.”

A$AP Ferg came with the summertime anthem “Wigs” with the release of his album Floor Seats and now he’s on tour. The A$AP Mob members’ tour lasts through December, but this week marks Los Angeles fans oppo

Friday, November 29

Canadian rapper Dax is known for his freestyles and has grown into popularity with his spiritual banger “Dear God.” He first went viral with the release of his Bhad Babie-featured music video “Cash Me Outside.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Atlantic Records
PJ opens up about love and being misunderstood on her latest single "Honest."]]>

Atlantic Records

This week, PJ opens up about love and the desire to be understood for her latest diary entry on her new single, “Honest.”

As an award-winning singer and songwriter, dating has not been the easiest. Speaking to Uproxx last month, PJ expressed her gripes on romance in Los Angeles and how she’s transforming that into a musical experience for her fans.

“I’m putting my career first, but just navigating this ocean that is dating in LA, which is hilarious and interesting,” she told us. “Now that I’ve been in an actual relationship and I’ve learned a lot of things, it’s like now I have other stuff to talk about other than grinding.”

And “Honest” is just an immersive manifestation of her dating encounters — the cross between a search of a balanced life that includes a successful career and love while battling through issues of anxiety.

“But I guess this is a love letter, coming to terms w/ the fact that the life I live puts me in a lot of stress and anxiety,” she penned in her personal diary entry about the song. “There are a lot of times where I’m stressed tf out and it might spill into my personal life. I just felt like asking to be understood. I’m hoping you can love me.”

Atlantic Records

PJ carries these emotions vocally on the slightly upbeat, yet smooth track which falls in thematic line with her previous releases “Smoke” and “Run For Your Money.”

Listen to PJ’s “Honest” below.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/pj-honest-diary-entry/feed/0402201767All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-18/
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Getty Image / Unsplash
All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of November 18.

Monday, November 18

Young Thug earned his first No. 1 with So Much Fun and embarked on his Justin Bieber Big Tour with Machine Gun Kelly in tow. Thugger Thugger took over the summer with “The London” and this winter he’s heating things up with the Wheezy-produced banger “Hot” featuring Gunna.

Soulful R&B singer Arin Ray is hitting three cities for a special tour with Childish Major and Los Angeles is his first stop. Arin recently collaborated with Kehlani on “Change” and his new single “A Seat” is a blushworthy slow jam, bringing real love back to the genre’s center.

Tuesday, November 19

19-year-old Tones and I is making chart history with her viral hit “Dance Monkey,” off her debut EP The Kids Are Coming. The song is multi-platinum in her home country of Australia and is slowly making its way to infiltrate the States.

The Queen of Pop, Madonna, is still pushing musical boundaries years after disrupting the music industry with her daring statements with music. The Grammy Award-winning star released her fourteenth studio album titled Madame X this year and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. A chance to catch Madge giving the performance of a lifetime to songs both classic, such as “Like A Prayer” and “Ray Of Light,” and new, such as “Medellín” with Maluma, is here.

Wednesday, November 20

Post Malone is in the running for the American Music Award’s statue for Artist of the Year, much like 2018. This year, Post released his No. 1 album Hollywood’s Bleeding with features from Young Thug, DaBaby and Travis Scott. His single “Wow” was heard everywhere this summer.

New Orleans’ Big Freedia is the queen of bounce. She’s been featured on Drake’s multi-platinum hit single “Nice For What” and she came to slay on Beyoncé’s Lemonade cut “Formation.” Everything about Big Freedia is energetic and she’ll be bringing her NOLA flavor to the city of Los Angeles this week.

Thursday, November 21

Little Brother‘s hip-hop influence is undeniable. Phonte and Big Pooh essentially inspired Drake’s rap career and with their reunion album May The Lord Watch out in stores, now is the perfect time to catch them live.

Saturday, November 23

Lil Tracy has been slowly making a name for himself and started out by making goth raps with the late Lil Peep. His latest EP Anarchy was released earlier this year and received some love from Post Malone who recently took his guitar to project’s track “Beautiful Nightmare.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-18/feed/0402195123Orlando Rapper Skyxxx Wants To Show The World For The ‘Madhouse’ It Ishttps://uproxx.com/music/skyxxx-interview-madhouse-ep-hotboy-remix-nle-choppa/
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Uproxx got a behind-the-scenes first-look at the making of Skyxxx's music video for the "Hotboy" remix featuring NLE Choppa.]]>

Orlando rapper Skyxxx comes with mad energy. His presence is potent and dynamic, but he’s also self-aware and completely in command of all aspects of his artistic identity. Take the music video shoot for the remix to his rambunctious banger “Hotboy” with burgeoning rap star NLE Choppa, where he called the shots from the beginning.

“My look is like a moving GQ photoshoot,” he said about the making of the “Hotboy” music video. “That’s the aesthetic I go for. I don’t really use effects in my videos or none of that. I just like a clean look and our aesthetic is what balances everything.”

Born on the East Coast and raised in Orlando, Skyxxx grew up listening to and, still does, mainly listen to Mobb Deep, Lauryn Hill, and an underground rapper named Kekone, whom Skyxxx claimed as one of the best rappers he knows. Kekone is why Skyxxx chose to chase his rap dreams.

Skyxxx’s upcoming EP Madhouse EP is finished and upon its release, it is sure to be a true representation of the creative monster he is.

“I represent that house in the neighborhood, in the suburban neighborhood, [where] everyone’s just out there, jogging outside and sh*t,” he said of the forthcoming project. “I thought of the idea when I was just getting home at 9 in the morning from the studio. I was f*cked up, I’m smoking a cigarette and I see people just getting up jogging and I was like, damn, they’re not even aware of this house full of creators right next to them. It was like a madhouse. It was like the place you can’t see what’s right there, that you choose not to see because you live in a different world than we do. The world is a madhouse.”

Choppa and Skyxxx brought their magnetic mania to the lavish music video set, trading dance moves and performing their parts on-camera multiple times until the director was satisfied with each shot. For Skyxxx, Choppa hopping on the track was “dope” and he credits the powers that be for getting him on there since the “Shotta Flow” rapper doesn’t do many features.

“I made that song a year ago,” Skyxxx revealed. “Honestly, I made that song in five minutes. I was just high as f*ck. Drunk as f*ck and that’s just how I felt, like a hotboy. That’s that moment when you feel like you good, you got some money in your pocket, no one can tell you sh*t, you feel fly, you feel good. That’s what ‘Hotboy’ is about.”

Watch the music video to Skyxxx’s “Hotboy” remix featuring NLE Choppa up top.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/skyxxx-interview-madhouse-ep-hotboy-remix-nle-choppa/feed/0402181727All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-11/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of November 11.

Tuesday, November 12

Christmas is just around the corner and 23-year-old R&B Grammy Award-winning singer Alessia Cara is delivering the gift of the holidays with her new project Make It To Christmas, which is the follow-up to her previous EP This Summer. As she lands in LA this week, expect live vocals and a live band because this girl gets down.

Wednesday, November 13

The Queen of Pop, Madonna, is still pushing musical boundaries years after disrupting the music industry with her daring statements with music. The Grammy Award-winning star released her fourteenth studio album titled Madame X this year and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. A chance to catch Madge giving the performance of a lifetime to songs both classic, such as “Like A Prayer” and “Ray Of Light,” and new, such as “Medellín” with Maluma, is here.

Thursday, November 14

Southwest Alief, a sub-section in Houston, Texas, is what Roc Nation artist Maxo Kream represents to the fullest. His new album Brandon Banks was praised for its conceptual storytelling about life in the SWAT and also featured fellow Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion on the strip club banger “She Live.”

Friday, November 15

DDG went from YouTuber to a full-time rapper with his debut release Valedictorian and the Detroit-raised artist even gave a half-time performance during a Pistons game recently. Now, the 22-year-old is on tour for performances of his own songs such as popular cuts “Run It” and “Hold Up.”

Saturday, November 16

In 2015 Jidenna released one of the most popular songs of the year with his debutant single “Classic Man,” which grabbed a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. 85 to Africa is the Wondaland artist’s sophomore release and he’s currently on a worldwide tour to support the project with Los Angeles slated as its finale.

Grammy Award-winning musician Solange is taking over Getty for a special series entitled Bridge-s, exploring the themes of “transitions through time.” In a press release, Solo describes the experience as a “…reflection on how much transition can be controlled and accelerated by our own ideas, thoughts, and movements vs. the natural process of time and space. The works chosen to respond to these ideas are dear to me, and by artists, musicians, philosophers and filmmakers I have an immense amount of respect for. I couldn’t be more excited to program works that speak to the core of these themes alongside the Getty Museum.”

Sunday, November 17

Reggaeton Trap King Bad Bunny is known for his 2017 breakout hit “Soy Peor.” More recently the Puerto Rican rap star has been taking over radio waves with his smash single “Mia” featuring Drake and can also be heard on Cardi B’s Invasion Of Privacy hit “I Like It.” His debut studio album X 100pre dropped on Christmas Eve last year and landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. Bad Bunny is still going and going.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-11/feed/0402186621PJ Debuts Her ‘Run For Your Money’ Single With A Second Diary Entryhttps://uproxx.com/music/pj-run-for-ya-money-diary-entry/
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Photo Credit: Ana Sanchez
PJ returns with her cheery single "Run For Your Money" and a personal diary entry breaking down the meaning of the motivational track.]]>

Photo Credit: Ana Sanchez

Last week, Uproxx debuted PJ‘s single “Smoke” along with a full introspective interview and this week the talented singer-songwriter returns with her cheery single “Run For Your Money” and a personal diary entry about the meaning of the motivational track.

“‘Run For Your Money’ is a cute lil anthem I recorded like two years a go,” she reveals in a handwritten note. “At one point, I thought it would be a single, and I probably would have released it, had I not taken a hiatus.”

Her last project, Rare, was released three years ago as she simultaneous dedicated her creative writing skills to Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Usher and pop star Charlie Puth while also working through feelings of anxiety.

“It’s just me saying ‘I’m up next!’ It’s super positive and it feels good,” she continues in her song diary. “I feel like everybody should feel like that.”

“Run For Your Money” is PJ breaking free from anxiousness and basking in her own success as a proper celebration. With PJ’s contributions to chart-topping Billboard records and platinum-selling singles, she has a lot to celebrate and take pride in.

Read PJ’s full diary entry on “Run For Your Money” below and press play on the track up top.

Atlantic Records
]]>https://uproxx.com/music/pj-run-for-ya-money-diary-entry/feed/0402180573All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-november-4/
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Getty Image / Unsplash
All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of November 4.

Tuesday, November 5

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IDK @ The Roxy [Sold Out]

IDK, formerly Jay IDK, has been on the music grind for a minute and this year he released his first studio album titled Is He Real? The DMV rapper is known for his conscious raps that are embedded in a sea of trap sounds, so he always has something meaningful to say in a hyped-up way.

Ski Mask The Slump God’s debut album Stokley hit DSPs nearly two years ago and he’s still going. Last month he dropped a music video for the album’s cut “Nuketown” with Juice WRLD and this month he unleashed a new track titled “Carbonated Water.”

Wednesday, November 6

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Pivot Gang @ El Rey Theatre [Tickets]

Chicago hip-hop collective Pivot Gang is at the forefront of the independent music game, taking the lead from Chance The Rapper. Their debut album You Can’t Sit With Us was self-released in April with 13 tracks of Windy City essence with a few guest appearances, including Smino who has been announced as part of super hip-hop group Ghetto Sage alongside Noname and Pivot Gang’s Saba.

Friday, November 8

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Summer Walker @ The Novo [Sold Out]

R&B singer Summer Walker has the voice of an angel and is a talented musician who knows how to write songs that touch the masses. Her debut album Over It broke the Beyoncé’s Lemonade streaming record and included a legendary feature from Usher on “Come Thru.” Even though Summer is an open introvert, on stage seems to be where she’s able to completely be herself.

PJ Morton @ Belasco Theatre [Tickets]

Grammy Award-winning singer PJ Morton and Maroon 5 keyboardist has been able to successfully secure his own accolades and praise outside of the band while casually making a name for himself strictly through the merits of his own talents.

Saturday, November 9

The Voice talent Melanie Martinez used her filmmaking talents to story tell her latest album K-12 and her performances are just a piece of her creative magic. The R&B-inspired album hit No. 1 on Billboard, making Martinez one to watch.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Getty Image
Though NLE Choppa is known for his aggressive "Shotta Flow" raps, he's ready to deliver something more personal.]]>

Getty Image

On November 1, NLE Choppa will turn 17-years-old and he wants a Hellcat. It’s fitting for someone his age with a lot of money and a lot of pent up angst. When I met Choppa, or Bryson as everyone around him plainly calls him, he had just got off a flight from his hometown of Memphis without a moment to slow down, straight to a music video shoot for Skyxxx’s “Hot Boy” remix. His mother, Angie Potts, who also happens to be his manager, and father, Brandon Potts, were both there to make sure his obligations were met because a night at the studio was next.

Last year, Choppa exploded into popularity with an energetic and warlike track titled “Shotta Flow.” The nearly three-minute certified Platinum anthem was practically inescapable upon its release and its raw gun-toting and smokey visual gave Choppa an edge in today’s current hip-hop climate where auto-tune and tripped-out music videos reign supreme.

So far, he’s dropped a total of three “Shotta Flow” tracks with tentative plans for a mixtape release ahead of his debut album in 2020. He sat down with Uproxx to discuss his aggressive “Shotta Flow” raps, and how he’s ready to deliver something more reflective and true to his soul.

What was it like for you growing up in Memphis?

It was pretty much hard. It was a lot of stuff going on in this little city because there’s nothing to do there. It was like, nothing to do without getting in trouble.

You just got off probation, right? So, what do you think you’re here to learn or teach because everybody is listening to your music and watching you right now.

Really in my music, you ain’t going to learn too much, but just how to do violence. But if you’re talking to me, you just learn from me that being yourself is the best way to be. Be you. You ain’t got to front for nobody, cap for nobody, none of that. Be yourself. It’ll take you far.

Do you feel like you have that responsibility?

Whatever is out of my element that I don’t do is a no for me. I’m not going to let nobody force me to do anything, I ain’t going to look at no money to do it. That ain’t me. I don’t care how much you paying me, or what you say. None of that.

You got popping while in high school. How did that transition go for you? You handling that okay?

I’m handling it well. I already had a lot of maturity, because I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through a lot more than what an average 16-year-old go through. I already just had maturity. It wasn’t no more playing, for real now. This business is serious. I had to cut it all the way up, tight.

What would say to the kids that look up to you right now? Like, the younger ones?

I love saying, just keep God first and just keep working. If you got a dream, pursue that dream. Whatever’s in your head, it don’t matter how impossible it seem, chase that shit because that’s what I did. It’s just doing numbers for me right now.

Everything that you have going on right now, did you envision that in the beginning?

Yeah, I envisioned it before. It’s a video of me, it was a whole dorm, sold out. Everybody had their lights on flashing while I was performing. I pictured it in my mind.

Before it happened?

Before it happened. When I looked at the video that they recorded, I’m like, “man this is crazy. This is like the exact same vision I had, like in a dream I kept having, that I chase,” you know what I’m saying? I pretty much envisioned all this, for sure.

Was rapping what you wanted to do in the beginning?

I always wanted to be a rapper. I don’t know why. I just liked it. I wanted to be a basketball player, too, but rapping just like, it was independent. It was something of my own. If you mess up…

Control right?

Yeah. It’s you. You can’t blame nobody but yourself for a mess up with music. But, sports or something, you can blame somebody else.

Your song “Camelot” hit the Billboard charts recently. Is Camelot where you used to hang out?

Yeah, that was the block, but I’m from Cottonwood. It’s around the corner. It’s all in East Memphis though. It’s two minutes away from Camelot. Camelot is where I shot “Shotta Flow” at.

Tell me about “Shotta Flow.” Are you going to keep that going with more “Shotta Flows”?

I think I’m going to stop “Shotta Flow” at five. I got two more I want to put out. It’s just about how I pace them. Like at what time I put them out. The timing of it.

What makes you decide to call it “Shotta Flow”?

It’s like a different bag I hop in. Like, the beat.

So basically you’re just like, “This is ‘Shotta Flow?'” This is the one?

Yeah, like the beat, it’s got to be a real, real hard beat. Most of the “Shotta Flow” beats are the same. It’s like real hard. That’s how I try to keep it.

I noticed that you use Triller a lot. How has that been instrumental to you blowing up?

Triller is a big part of how I tease my music. I never used to like Triller and I never did them until I did it later, one time and I actually liked how it came out. We started doing them more. Triller is a platform I like to use, for sure.

You ever use TikTok?

I used TikTok once. I was doing something and they banned my video. They’re like…

They banned it?

No, they didn’t ban it. They deleted it because they say I did something inappropriate on it.

Do you remember what you did?

[Motions hand up-and-down] I was just doing something and they say it was inappropriate, so, I guess.

Wow. How long did it take for them to delete it? Was it quick?

Quick. I don’t know why.

That’s crazy. And then the last name you had was YNR Choppa. What did that stand for?

It was Young N Ruthless. It was a rap group I was in but I wanted to do my own thing so I made NLE, No Love Entertainment.

What was it that made you start taking music seriously?

When I realized that the buzz I was getting was gaining so I had to take it seriously from there. Once the record labels started hitting me, I really took it seriously then. When my first song dropped it went viral. It was called “No Love Anthem.” So I started taking it real serious after that.

You’re also making a lot of moves, very early on, that a lot of established artists make later on in their career, like owning your masters and publishing. What do you think has been the greatest lesson that you’ve learned since you’ve entered into your partnership with Warner?

Just being patient and let God work out problems. Work out everything, slowly. Patience is key pretty much. I still rush a lot of stuff but I’m thankful for my team and everybody around me. They help me value patience so I value patience a lot. From me being patient, I got the deal I wanted instead of the deal that’s a slave contract or some sh*t.

You also have a song with Birdman and Juvenile. I see the Cash Money influence and hear it in your music a lot. What was it like working with them?

It was like, I wouldn’t say a dream come true, but it was something like, damn, I’m really working with two legends right now. I really looked up to [Lil] Wayne the most out of anybody, though. To have the chance to work with Birdman or Juve on a track…that was something to me.

Have you met Wayne yet?

No, he autographed something for me though. It meant a lot to me. He autographed a basketball and a picture of him but we haven’t worked yet. When we do it’s going to be crazy.

I know you and NBA Young Boy, at the time, had a weird little start in the beginning but it seems like you guys are ok now and you did the “Free YoungBoy” joint. Tell me about the dynamics between you and YoungBoy musically and personally, now at this point.

I just know people compare me to him and I don’t know why. I don’t know. It’s weird.

Probably because you guys both started out young.

Yeah, that was about the only comparison, like young. How we started out.

Who has been your greatest mentor in the entertainment industry?

Trae Tha Truth. Trae Tha Truth is a real down to earth. He a real n*gga. Trae Tha Truth, Gotti, and BlocBoy [JB]. BlocBoy is not a mentor to me, but he’s like a big bro. Yella Beezy, he helped me too. He make sure I’m straight. He always trying to see where my head at.

Can you recall a specific instance in your life where you were able to use music to get through a painful situation?

Oh, for sure. Music helped me get through a lot. I got a lot of hype songs out right now, but ain’t nobody really heard the sh*t that’s real, that’s true and real true to my soul. That’s why I’m fixin’ to get a mixtape here out. They’re going to hear the versatility of it. Music helped me cope with a lot of sh*t. That’s my therapy. In my mind, my therapy is talking into the mic.

Do you have a therapist?

The mic.

The mic is your therapist, got it.

For sure.

Is that mixtape going to come out before the album?

I’m trying to maybe do a mixtape before the album. I don’t want to do no mixtape though, but I don’t think it will hurt me. It’s just like, I just want to come out with a debut album, I’ve ripped. I’m thinking about dropping a five-song EP on my birthday, November 1.

NLE Choppa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/nle-choppa-shotta-flow-interview/feed/0402162952PJ Opens Up About Her Song ‘Smoke’ With A Personal Diary Entryhttps://uproxx.com/music/pj-smoke-diary-interview/
https://uproxx.com/music/pj-smoke-diary-interview/#respondTue, 29 Oct 2019 16:04:16 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402168871

Photo Credit: Ana Sanchez/Atlantic
PJ is coming out of solitude with her new song "Smoke" and opening up about her hiatus.]]>

Photo Credit: Ana Sanchez/Atlantic

Singer-songwriter PJ is known for penning hits for the likes Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, Usher and Chris Brown. Her notable style translated into her own solo career which produced her 2015 five-song debut EP, Walking Around Pools and debut album Rare, the following year. After hitting the road with R&B singer K. Michelle, she suddenly disappeared.

This year, the talented singer is making her return and coming out of solitude with her new song “Smoke,” the follow-up to her previously released tracks “One Missed Call” and “My Best Life.” Opening up about her hiatus and the inspiration behind some of her forthcoming music, she’s sharing with Uproxx some personal diary entries about what led to the creating of each song.

For the first entry, dedicated to “Smoke,” we got the opportunity to speak with her about everything she went through and what fans can expect next.

Why did you take such a long break from music?

It was a couple of things. One being I was just having some business issues with management and trying to get all the directions sorted out, on top of going through a big break-up, which shouldn’t have really. It was some things I had to get in a row and it was a really low point for me to figure it out, but I’m back now. That was pretty much it though.

What was the hardest part of not being able to focus on music?

It was one of those coming of age moments where you realize that people, no matter how many fairytales or Disney movies you watch, the real world doesn’t really work that way. Especially being a female in the music business, you never really know who you can trust, and politics play a third role. So, you’re just dealing with that, and anxiety and not knowing who to trust.

What was your biggest learning lesson during that time?

I feel like I’m still learning. It’s just this business is like, you work with the people you work with, and you hope that they are invested, and they have the best interest for you at heart. It’s very important that you are spearheading and taking initiative, and doing the things that you have to do. Otherwise, you’re going to keep looking and double-checking, and looking back, to see if other people are doing what they need to be doing. As long as you have a level head and two feet on the ground, and you’re still pushing in a direction, and you’re strategizing and planning, you’ll be good.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that I’ll have to stop getting pushed by other people and being able to have those difficult conversations. Basically putting myself first. I feel like I just need to be more selfish with my emotions, and stop catering to other people.

Was there a specific moment that brought you to that realization?

I had management at the time, and I wasn’t really happy with where I was, but I was really trying to be loyal to them instead of loyal to my career. So it’s like, are you going to willingly sit here unhappily and work with people that you feel aren’t really giving you what you need, because you want to be their friend? Or are you just going to man up and just, you know, this is difficult and it’s very awkward. At the end of the day you’re responsible for where you are in life and nobody else is.

What can people expect from you this go around?

I’m putting my career first, but just navigating this ocean that is dating in LA, which is hilarious and interesting — “Smoke” is like one of those songs. Now that I’ve been in an actual relationship and I’ve learned a lot of things, it’s like now I have other stuff to talk about other than grinding.

What was your inspiration for “Smoke”?

I was in a relationship with this guy and he really inspired “Smoke.” I don’t even want to give him the satisfaction in knowing that he caused it, well, I’m pretty sure he knows that if he hears it. I started playing music for him that I wrote that was inspired by him, which is so corny and I can’t believe I did that, but I’m kind of happy I did because it’s kind of interesting to see how a guy feels. Of course, it blows their head up. Am I even paying attention to how like you’re currently making me feel? I actually use the words I play with as game? Can I talk to n*****? That’s a whole other thing that I’m exploring right now currently that you’ll hear about in this next project like “One Missed Call.” [That] was probably the most relationship song I’ve ever put out and I like living in that space.

Courtesy of Atlantic Records

You say in a doc that you’re always having a sword in-hand. You get knocked down and you have to climb over a wall… constantly. When was there a time you knocked down a wall that you didn’t know was possible, but did it?

I’m still having that moment right now. Anxiety, I feel like in itself, consistently creates walls for me that has to climb up over. Whether it is the actual wall or a mental wall, I think the biggest thing that people, in general, have to learn is just walking confidently, even if sometimes you’re kind of blind. When I took the hiatus, I was low in finances [and] I didn’t know who to trust. I feel like that’s really what I’m doing right now is that reset button coming back from that hiatus. I’m in my reset and it’s kind of scary but it’s definitely exciting. I’m doing a lot of things for the first time.

You brought up anxiety a couple of times so I just want to know how do you personally deal with anxiety? What are some things that you do? Is it like breathing, yoga, working out? What do you do?

Working out does help me a lot but I’ve been getting into meditation and I feel like that definitely helps like recenter your mind in the morning. I know that everybody’s going to meditation and everything works for different people but I also like to write things out because a lot of it is overload. I wake up in the morning and it always feels like there’s so much going on and there’s so much to do and it’s so easy for me to get overwhelmed but when I write things down like everything that I have to do and I process it. Only when I’m performing in front of people do I not having anxiety. I get nervous as hell before I go on, but when I go on, I don’t have to overthink anything. It’s no overthinking or no second-guessing and that’s my space. So I would say if anything, music is my cure for anxiety because that’s really the only thing that I understand. Everything else gives me panic attacks.

PJ is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/pj-smoke-diary-interview/feed/0402168871All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-28/
https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-28/#respondMon, 28 Oct 2019 16:39:39 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402168612

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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of October 28.

Monday, October 28

It’s been a whole year since Grammy Award-nominated pop band Lukas Graham released their third studio album 3 (The Purple Album). In September, their reflective single “Lie” was released as their first single since 3 and now they’re embarking on a tour through October and November.

Tuesday, October 29

17-year-old rising rap star Lil Tecca blew up earlier this year on the strength of his Hot 100 hit “Ransom” off his debut mixtape We Love You Tecca. The young star recently broke Post Malone’s SoundCloud record and hosts a bevy of Billboard hits such as “Love Me” and “Did It Again.”

After six years, Jack Black and Kyle Gass as Tenacious D a.k.a. The Greatest Band In The World, are reunited! Their new album Post-Apocalypto was released last year with a six-episode series on Youtube. The D fans will not want to miss these two rocking it out on stage.

Harlem rapper Skizzy Mars dropped his sophomore album Free Skizzy Mars this summer with his lively track “Calabasas” as well as features from 24kGoldn, Yoshi Flower and Trevor Daniel. He kicked off his tour this October, which will run through the end of November.

Saturday, November 2

HARD Day of the Dead is making its return to Los Angeles State Historic Park this year, fully embracing the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. The event will have face painting, food, drinks and killer performances from the likes of TOKiMONSTA and Elohim.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-28/feed/0402168612Kash Doll Tells Us How ‘Stacked’ Was Inspired By The Spirit Of The Hustlehttps://uproxx.com/music/kash-doll-stacked-interview/
https://uproxx.com/music/kash-doll-stacked-interview/#respondWed, 23 Oct 2019 17:01:31 +0000https://uproxx.com/?p=402159763

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Kash Doll chops it up with Uproxx about her new album and shares advice for young women wanting to get into music.]]>

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Kash Doll made an appearance at Rolling Loud’s first-ever festival in Los Angeles in December of 2017 where I got the opportunity to speak with the Detroit native about her bittersweet journey. At the time, she informed me she was pregnant…with her album, due spring of 2018. Overdue, this fall she was finally able to deliver her 17lb baby, “Stacked,” healthy and strong.

Ahead of Stacked‘s release, I spoke with Kash again at the Uproxx offices in Los Angeles where we engaged in a candid conversation about the album, the music industry, advice she has for young up-and-coming women who want to get into music, her decision to work with Iggy Azalea despite her controversial history and most importantly, what’s fueled her hustle for so long.

Kash Doll has been through a lot and never once backed down. Through everything she’s been through, the BET Best Female Hip Hop Artist award-winner remains both humble and grateful.

How would you describe this album?

It’s like timeless music. You got some party bops, something to make you feel like you ready to go pick up a bag or get motivated. You got to have music for all different moods. Sometimes you want to be in love or you want to say, “fuck n*****,” then you want to feel cute or you might want to talk sh*t to these b*tches. I got all that type of music in one.

“Ready Set,” is kind of different from what you’ve done in the past. It’s more radio-friendly.

I didn’t cuss not one time on that song.

I didn’t even notice that. With Apple music, the first song you can select is always the edited version, which I hate but I never noticed that.

So you didn’t even know? But it still feels so full. It don’t feel like you’re missing something.

No, it isn’t missing anything. I didn’t notice that! Well, let’s talk about “Ready Set” because the song is about celebration. What’s the last thing you celebrated?

I feel like I’m celebrating every day. Just coming from where I come from and being where I’m at, it’s a celebration. The last thing I celebrated was my nomination for the BET Awards.

Why the BET Award nod in particular?

Because I work so hard. Even with my team, when I first met my management, I told them, “I want to be nominated. I want to be winning awards and sh*t.” To actually get through being stuck in a contract, getting out of that, putting out music, putting out videos, doing Rolling Loud, going on Beyoncé’s stage, going on stage with Drake, Remy Ma bringing me out and going on tour with Meek Mill. I’m always satisfied knowing that I’m progressing. I feel like every day is a celebration. Leaving Grammy meetings and then coming here to talk to you. That song gets you in the mode of just being grateful.

What keeps you motivated?

I really have self-motivation. I was blessed with that. I always been like that since I was a little girl. I always knew that I’d be doing this. Every time my friends come to my events they be like, “You used to say that. That’s crazy.” I just be like, yeah and I ain’t done yet. It’s this new house I’m looking at. That motivates the f*ck out of me.

Up here?

No, it’s in Michigan. It’s off the lake.

When did you see it?

Girl, I seen it last Monday and I’ve seen it 19 times since then. I kept riding past it. I kept going to pull up in the driveway, walking out and looking in there. I went in there looking around and it’s just like I’m finna have my eyes on this house. That house is my latest motivation and I want to buy it. I want to get into buying my homes now. I’m not renting no more.

Don’t you have a house in Atlanta, too?

Yeah.

So you’re just building up those assets.

Yeah, and I want a boat.

You got to get you a yacht or a boat.

I want a boat, I want a yacht, and I want an airplane.

You can do that!

I want an airplane for my 40th birthday. I want a f*cking airplane. Kash Line. Kash Lane. That got a ring to it! Kash Lane or Luxury Lane or Expensive Fly.

[Laughs] We’re going to work on the name. Being that you came from having a rough beginning with your previous label, what are three things you’d advise young girls coming into the game?

I’d say, don’t sign no damn papers. With nobody. You figure out who you are as an artist first. You don’t even know who you are as an artist if you just go and sign papers and think they supposed to do what they need to do for you. You got to do what you got to do for yourself first. Give yourself some time to get to know who you are as an artist before you just jump into any situation, period.

Secondly, I say don’t compare yourself to other artists. You stay in your own lane and you drive as fast as you can. Don’t drive as fast as the person next to you, because you going to crash. That ain’t your speed. Be happy and comfortable with what you got going on and learn how to be happy for others.

Third? Starve negativity, feed positivity, because what you feed will grow. If you pay attention to all the negative sh*t more than you pay attention to the positive sh*t you’re going to be miserable, because now all you feeding off of is bullsh*t. Feed the positive sh*t, so at least you got a good energy going. This b*tch says you ugly, but 30 other people just said you’re beautiful. Why you comment to the ugly hoe that said you was ugly, when she ugly her damn self?

What if you got time that day?

No, I always have time, sometimes. I like to snap.

Sometimes you’ve got that energy built up.

But I just say don’t only give that person attention. Make sure you show love to the people that’s showing love too because now they feel like they got to say something negative to you so they can get your attention. They probably don’t even mean it. They just want a comment back from you. So now they see, “All she comments on is negative sh*t? Let me say this b*tch is ugly, and maybe I’ll finally see her in my mentions.”

Yeah, I hear a lot of fans, especially kids, they’ll leave the craziest comments, only because they want their favorite artists to respond.

But you got all these people from the bigger brands who come to look at your page and they’re coming to see how people react to you. They don’t know that these fans just want your attention. They thinking, “Damn, don’t nobody like this person. I don’t even want to do business with her” so you always got to be thinking about stuff like that.

You have this song with Iggy Azalea called “F*ck It Up” that’s out, considering her controversial past what made you want to work with her? Because she has a lot of people who don’t like her.

Why don’t people like her?

I think because she’s from Australia and she talks with a fake accent as if she’s from Atlanta so a lot of people feel like she’s appropriating Black culture and she’s unapologetic about it. She has this flippant attitude when people try to educate her on certain things.

She’s human. If it ain’t got nothing to do with me, I don’t pay attention to it. It don’t really have nothing to do with me. I’m learning from you that people don’t like her, but I don’t know why. I’ve heard it a couple times and I was just like, well why? She didn’t do nothing to me, so why would I not do something with her? I’m just trying to get an understanding.

It has been just that, when she’s done interviews there hasn’t been any sense of respect from her about American rap culture and Black culture. She dismisses it or people just don’t feel that she’s paying respect to it like she’s kind of like mocking it to make money but I respect that you did you, because she does get so much backlash. I don’t even think anybody really got on you about it and they shouldn’t.

No, nobody ever say nothing to me because they can’t.

I think people have a little more respect for you.

Working with her, I witnessed something else. I’m a real b*tch first by any means so we’re going to sit here and we’re going to be honest. What’s really the issue? What did she do? It’s a lot of b*tches in the game that don’t rap, that get people to make them songs and they just repeat it. They don’t have no meaning behind nothing. What’s the difference? My personal experience with Iggy was straight. She hit me up, said she had a song I could get on and I’m like, let me hear it. I heard it, I liked it.

Then you guys did the Romy and Michele type music video for it. It looks like you guys had fun!

I can only go off how a person treated me. Nobody is perfect. If I liked the song and if I like you and how you approached me, I do it. If I don’t then I don’t have to do sh*t I don’t want to do. At the end of the day we all come from God, and when I have a good feeling about something, if it just flow, I do it. She didn’t give me anything to make me feel like I didn’t want to do it.

That’s all it matters.

There’s some stuff going on around me right now about my age. I never said I was 25, 26 years old. Somebody else made that online. I didn’t do that. But I just never comment on it because every birthday I say I turned 21. I’m not in my f*cking 30’s like everybody tries to say, but I’m not about to tell y’all my age because now y’all made it such a big deal that I’m going to let y’all just always keep my name in your mouth. That’s a perfect example because on my birthday I said I turned 21 and I say that shit every year.

Like most people.

Everybody say they turn 21 and that’s a prime example of how things just grow over time because that was the big thing: Kash Doll age. Now, I would never tell them motherf*ckers because they care too much and I think it’s funny. You just got some people that just want to end up in the blogs. I don’t care about that sh*t. I don’t want to be over-saturated. I don’t want you to go on there and just see me on complaining every day. I love who I am. I’m happy.

Protect your energy.

You got to by any means necessary.

So what do you want people to know about Kash Doll?

That she don’t care. Period. Just know that I’m really a genuine, sweet person.

You’re a Pisces, like me…you can’t let things get to you. You have to let that sh*t roll off because we’re so sensitive.

We’re very sensitive.

We’ve got to protect that.

Got to protect that by any means necessary. I been through the hard part of my career already while in Detroit and that was hard. Them muthaf*ckers is mean.

What’s something that happened that you will never forget back then?

When I was dancing and I was in a dressing room and a girl I was friends with, we was best friends since second grade, she recorded a girl sneaking me and pulling my hair out and recorded it and put it all over the internet. They hated me that much.

Were you guys friends still when she did that?

We was, I thought. Sh*t. They just didn’t like me. It gets like that. I been through some shit. That was in 2012. I’ve been through so much. It’s like I want to enjoy my moment and I ain’t about to let none of these b*tches make me mad.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/kash-doll-stacked-interview/feed/0402159763All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-21/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of October 21.

Monday, October 21

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Lizzo @ Hollywood Palladium [Sold Out]

Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You landed at No. 4 on Uproxx’s Best Hip-Hop Albums of the decade and it’s no wonder; her mega-hit “Truth Hurts” has essentially become a cultural phenomenon. Anywhere “Truth Hurts” plays, people stop and sing along, so catching her live is definitely electrifying.

Earlier this week, Lauv joined forces with K-Pop band BTS for a delightful ditty titled “Make It Right.” The 25-year-old singer-songwriter is gearing up for the release of debut studio album How I’m Feeling, which is expected to land March of next year and is currently on tour in support of the project.

The Jonas Brothers’ major comeback record Happiness Begins was released this summer and now Kevin, Joe and Nick are on tour. It’s been six years since the award-winning trio has toured around the world so here’s a good opportunity to indulge in Jonas Brothers nostalgia while enjoying the new.

Wednesday, October 23

88 Rising star Rich Brian exploded into popularity three years ago with his viral hit “Dat $tick” and this summer he delivered his sophomore album The Sailor. The project includes popular cuts “Drive Safe” and “Kids,” as well as “Rapapapa” featuring legendary hip-hop artist RZA.

Saturday, October 26

Reggaeton artist J Balvin is fresh off his collaborative album Oasis with Bad Bunny. He’s currently making his rounds across the globe for his Arcoiris Tour and lands in the City of Angeles this week to perform some of his most popular hits such as “Mi Gente” and “I Like It.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Jarrod Anderson
'I want them to be able to feel my pain and where I'm coming from, that's all.']]>

Jarrod Anderson

Behind These Scars is Casanova’s first full-length project under Roc Nation. It’s as real as any hip-hop artist can get in this day and age and there’s zero doubt that the Brooklyn-bred rhymer means every single word he spits. The pain is heard in his voice and his storytelling is too detailed to be deemed “cap.”

Behind These Scars‘ opening cut “Jail Call” is the song that means the most to the 32-year-old rapper. On the track, he ruminates on past suicidal thoughts and recalls that when he went to prison, no one was there for him. As he began to create music once out of prison, he further recalls the city turning his back on him the name of controversial rapper Tekashi 69 — whom he eventually made up with. Now, things have changed.

When speaking to Casanova over the phone about Behind These Scars ahead of its release, he opened up to me about the inspiration behind the creation of his reflective 10-song LP, which features guest appearances from Young Thug, Gunna and Giggs, among others, his viral “So Brooklyn” challenge, and the heat Cas seems to still feel from his hometown.

Before we get into your new album Behind The Scars, I want to talk about your mega-viral “So Brooklyn” Challenge for a second. How did you come up with that concept?

Truthfully, it was just random. At first, I was just like, you know what? Let me do stuff for Brooklyn and then after a while, I saw a lot of Brooklyn rappers rapping, I’m like, you know what? It don’t matter where you from, if you’re so big, if you’re so that, rep your hood, then it just took off.

It really took over! Out of all the people that participated in the challenge, which ones are your favorite?

Yeah. He won it for Brooklyn. A lot of people killed it. But the challenge was dope because I felt like it got a lot of people to rap, and it went viral real quick.

Speaking of Memphis Bleek, I know he discovered you and brought you into Roc Nation. How did that all work out?

I had one song which was “Don’t Run,” and then I went to the studio with Taxstone, then when I was with him Memphis Bleek was like, “Yo, I’m going to sign you.” I’m like, “Alright, cool.” So he saw me with one song, and then, months later, I just started working and doing so much. One day he came to me and said, “Listen, I can’t handle you, man, I’m going to put you over there with big bro.” That’s when I said, “Alright, cool, f*ck it.” And then I been with the Roc ever since.

How does it feel to have your city embrace you a little bit more than they were before? For a minute, it seemed the city had turned on you, but since the #SoBrooklynChallenge, do you feel the love a little bit more?

I think New York is just a bougie state, man. It’s like a kill-or-be-killed state. So don’t matter how lit you are, you can have half your city hating on you. That’s how it go. But to answer your question, I still feel like I get hate in my city. Who doesn’t?

Yeah, it’s something that a lot of artists have to deal with, especially in hip-hop, and it’s great you are sharing your story with the world. Now, I want to talk about New York’s emerging sound because it appears there’s a huge UK grime influence going on right now. That griminess really wasn’t there at one point and it feels like it’s a new wave. Right now, Pop Smoke is lit, we got SimxSantana — who’s from Philly, but has a presence in New York. What do you think is the appeal of UK grime and its connection to New York City?

I ain’t going to lie, the UK, they dope. Their music is dope. If you sit down and just listen to them for a second, it’s even doper. When I went out there, I fell in love with it, and I thought I knew the beat Pop Smoke had was from the UK. I’m like — they’ve been doing this and we just found out about it yesterday. I think in two more years, they’ll be more global than ever.

Do you have any favorite grime artists out there or any others that you have worked with?

Definitely. I like Giggs. I like Stormzy. Those are the regular artists that I know. I’m familiar with their music.

I’ve talked to people from the UK and they don’t think that grime is hip-hop. Would you consider it hip-hop?

I think that’s hip-hop, definitely.

Yeah, because some people I’ve spoken with say that the UK doesn’t really have a hip-hop culture like here in the states and I’m like, “Wait, grime,” and they’re like, “no.” Did any of that influence Behind the Scars at all?

I don’t think it influenced it that much, but once I was out there — because even Giggs on “Live” — it’s just different. “Live” is not a UK beat, but I’m just trying to touch base with the UK. I did something that a lot of people wouldn’t do and I put a UK artist on a New York beat.

Your album title Behind The Scars is very interesting. Why did you choose to title your album Behind The Scars?

I felt like everybody wanted to know my story and I never said it. They want to know why I move the way I move, why I’m so happy, why I’m so hurt. It’s like seeing my scars. You just be like, how did he get that? I’m just telling my story. I feel like my stories come from my scars.

For sure, and what do you hope listeners get out of the album? Obviously getting to know who you are, but what else are you hoping that they may get?

I want them to be able to feel my pain and where I’m coming from, that’s all.

What song on this album means the most to you and why?

I think “Jail Call” would mean the most to me because I think I just let everything out, what I was going through in my life at the time, and what I’ve been through, and what made me stronger. I definitely would say “Jail Call.” That’s my favorite.

When did you record that song?

Probably like two years ago or a year and a half ago.

In your song “In My Hood,” which is really introspective, you discuss a lot of situations in your life that shaped you, like hood rules and your experiences. What is one thing that you went through that you’re super proud of overcoming?

I think being left for dead, and being able to do without anybody, without basically help from people that left me there, like family and friends. I think overcoming my bad situation, being incarcerated and just doing it by myself. It’s hard for people to do stuff by themselves, that all their lives they relied on people for help.

When you say ‘left for dead,’ do you mean literally or you just mean when you were in jail, people turned their backs on you?

For you it might not mean literally, but to me it’s literally, because if you leave somebody in jail, that think they got a friend or family member and you just don’t pick up and go see them and don’t reach out to them, it’s kind of like, they say, ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ and I think that’s true. It might not be, your [idea of] left for dead, but to me, I could’ve died in jail. Just coming home and being okay and finding a way is dope to me.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/casanova-behind-these-scars-interview/feed/0402145599All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-14/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

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Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of October 14.

Wednesday, October 16

The legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill does things according to her own time. She’s currently on a tour with R&B singer H.E.R and fans can expect to hear a new track with the singer next month on the soundtrack for the movie Queen & Slim.

Friday, October 18

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Lizzo @ Hollywood Palladium [Sold Out]

Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You landed at No. 4 on Uproxx’s Best Hip-Hop Albums of the decade and it’s no wonder; her mega-hit “Truth Hurts” has essentially become a cultural phenomenon. Anywhere “Truth Hurts” plays, people stop and sing along so catching her live is definitely electrifying.

Sunday, October 20

Anuel AA is the Latin Trap star taking over the globe with his infectious hits such as “Quiere Beber” and “Hipócrita” off his debut studio album Real Hasta la Muerte. Anuel AA really knows how to get the crowd rocking and is a definite must-see live.

Recently, it felt as though R&B had made a comeback with moodier albums like SZA’s CTRL, Solange’s When I Get Home, and Ari Lennox’s Shea Butter Baby impacting the charts over the last few years. Sadly, since then, it has appeared that the trend had been losing steam. Then on Friday, the world was blessed with Summer Walker’s Over It. Most R&B heads have more than likely been pining for a very long time for an R&B album like this — one that truly encapsulates the emotions the genre is all about.

Next to Summer’s previous release Last Day Of Summer, Over It maintains the same authenticity with major growth and cohesiveness, though the latter is more original in sound and less commercial. Nevertheless, Drake’s feature on the remix to “Girls Need Love” might sound a lot more appropriate here.

Before Summer released Over It, only three tracks were made available for play: “Playing Games,” “Girls Need Love Too” featuring Drake (which was also a staple on her debut mixtape Last Day of Summer) and “Stretch You Out” plagued by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s perc-laced vocalization. Honestly, his feature is one of the only deficiencies Over It holds, which is pretty good considering it is a collection of 18 songs. In fact, it’s probably one of the more relatable hymns on the project.

The unanswered Facetime call on “Drunk Dialing…LODT” really hits home. The Lenny Williams-sampling “I Love You” follow-up is also soul mover. On “Come Thru.” Summer really lays her velvety vocals all over a sample of Usher’s breakout hit “You Make Me Wanna”: “Can’t you see I’m f*cking trying? / You want p*ssy six times a week / And you never wanna clean up / And you talk to me like sh*t / And you handle me too rough.”

The melody and instrumentation on “Potential,” another relatable hymn, is so hypnotic it deserves to be run back more than once. All a woman ever wants from a potential lover besides love itself is the act of transparency, Summer sings: “I’m not tryna be out here with my hopes up / If you all for me, then let me know what’s up / Don’t change up on me in the long run.”

An even more relatable song: “Fun Girl;” a stream of consciousness gliding across raw acoustics, echoing with the wonder of why a woman who knows what she wants is stigmatized with the “fun girl” title. “Life’s unfair,” she laments and it really is.

Summer also appropriately brings along Jhene Aiko for this ride. When “I’ll Kill You” picks up steam, Jhene starts to go off and I’m instantly reminded of the last time I felt like this: Sailing Souls. Summer Walker isn’t necessarily reminiscent of Jhene, however, there hasn’t been an album that resonates this deeply. The music invites a woman to just lie in bed, in the dark, with the music softly playing in the background, thinking about her sweetheart in a blob of unrequited emotions, then blocking them for a few hours or days — or least until she’s ready for more heartbreak.

Nevertheless, in an iconic swoop, Summer also brings all the R&B boys to the yard as well, from her LVRN label mate 6LACK to Bryson Tiller for “Playing Games (Extended Version),” which doesn’t nearly last long enough, and PARTYNEXTDOOR on “Just Might.” Also worth mentioning again, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Usher on “Come Thru” comes on singing like it’s 1996.

On “Just Might,” the theme of Summer taking agency of her sexuality resurfaces with the tenacity of PND’s affable addition. Searching for real love seems to lead to nowhere — it’s literally a losing game, so you might as well get money. Especially, working in a strip club, like Follies as Party mentions, where making money is the focus and the assumption is “you just might be a hoe.”

Over It ultimately feels like the final blow to a more than likely toxic relationship that probably needed to end anyway — the mercy stroke to a dying relationship that has been difficult to let go. More than anything, Summer’s collection of songs shows off her versatility and ability to switch between pure R&B, soul, and more pop-influenced R&B. With Over It, 23-year-old Summer should soon be in the running with the names of Ariana Grande and Normani, as long as she keeps showcasing her musical talents and adaptability.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/summer-walker-over-it-review/feed/0402143635All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-7/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of October 7.

Tuesday, October 8

Brittany Howard, lead singer and guitarist of Alabama Shakes, delivered her first solo album Jamie in September. The project was named after her late sister and filled to the brim with passion just like her performances.

Wednesday, October 9

Norman Fucking Rockwell! is Lana Del Rey‘s latest musical accomplishment featuring tunes such as “Venice Bitch,” “The Greatest” and “Doin’ Time.” Her ’70s rock aesthetic lives at home here and has been met with critical acclaim. Los Angeles is one of Lana’s last stops before she heads to Europe.

Thursday, October 10

Snow Tha Product is one of the more heralded women rap artists in the hip-hop game and as an indie artist, she does fine. Her 2018 mixtape Vibe Higher was released on the cusp of ending a contract with Atlantic Records. Despite all the drama inhibiting its release, it still managed to trend on Apple Music and land at No. 5 on the Billboard charts.

Saturday, October 12

Bastille is the UK indie-pop band whose 2012 song “Bad Blood” was so good it was remixed by many over and over again. Fast forward to 2019 and they’re still going. In June, their third album Doom Days was unleashed, earning a spot at No. 5 on the BIllboard 200 charts.

]]>https://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-october-7/feed/0402142780All The Best Live Music In Los Angeles This Weekhttps://uproxx.com/music/live-music-tonight-los-angeles-concert-listings-this-week-september-30/
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All of the can't-miss live shows coming up in Los Angeles this week.]]>

Getty Image / Unsplash

Los Angeles is one of the finest music cities in the world, which is both a gift and a curse: There’s always a ton of great music being played somewhere, but there’s so much of it that it can be difficult to sort through it all and find the best stuff. If that’s a problem you’ve faced, you’re in the right place: Keep reading to find a list of the concerts in the Los Angeles area that are worth your time for the week of September 30.

Monday, September 30

PnB Rock just released his new song “Fendi” featuring Nicki Minaj (dragging her out of retirement), which is being touted as the official Fendi theme song since Minaj and the luxury fashion house have a collaborative line releasing October 14. PnB’s sophomore effort, TrapStar Turnt PopStar, landed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and it includes his popular tracks “I Like Girls” with Lil Skies and “Middle Child” with the late XXXTENTACION.

Soulful R&B crooner BJ The Chicago is mostly known for his collaborations with the likes of Kanye West and as the infectious voice heard on ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron hit “Studio.” With the Grammy Award-nominated talent’s album 1123 out, now is the perfect time for R&B heads who love the sounds of BJ to catch him live.

Tuesday, October 1

There’s no question that Charli XCX is a mega pop star talent. She co-wrote Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes’ “Señorita,” after all, and her voice gave Iggy Azaela’s 2014 hit “Fancy” that extra layer of goodness. Further proof of Charli’s imminent pop star status is Charli, her third studio album filled with sonic treats such as “1999” with Troye Sivan and Lizzo on “Blame It On Your Love.” All things considered, now is the perfect moment to receive the full pop experience with Charli XCX live.

It’s been three years since Banks released an album before the delivery of III, her third full-length album. The project landed on the Billboard 200 charts with her thrilling singles “Gimme” and “Contaminated” at the helm. After accompanying The Weeknd on his worldwide tour, this summer Banks kicked off her own with The III Tour.

Friday, October 4

Big KRIT is landing in Los Angeles this week and is bringing Rapsody and Domani Harris with him. This summer, the Mississppi-bred rapper released his Billboard 200 charting album KRIT Iz Here with guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Yella Beezy, and J. Cole

UK singer Mahalia has been making major waves with her buzzing single “Simmer” featuring Burna Boy off her sophomore album Love and Compromise. The 21-year-old’s music delivers nothing but good vibes, so a live show filled with her energy should be nothing short of a special experience.

Saturday, October 5

To love or hate Greta Van Fleet, that is the question. Either way, the Grammy Award-winning rock-nostalgic ensemble appears to be here to stay and their consistent electrifying performances are available for attendance to anyone who wants that old thing back.